What to do if your pet goes missing could mean the difference between being reunited or never finding them again. Putting in safety measures now will prevent that dreadful panic that occurs when your pet does stray.
What to do: prevention is best
Here are our top tips
1. Microchipping
This is a low cost, painless and quick procedure performed by your vet. A microchip the size of a rice grain is inserted under your pet’s skin by your vet using a needle. The microchip contains your contact details and these are also captured on a central microchip database. Check your details on the database annually as we often forget to do so when we move house. Ask your vet to check the microchip too to make sure it’s still working efficiently. Consider joining the Identipet Pet Rescuer Network (https://www.identipet.com/identipet-react-protect).
2. Collars
Collars and identity tags are added insurance that you’ll be reunited with your pet should he or she go missing. Buy yours at an EberVet Vetshop where our trained staff will help fit the collar so that it is comfortable for your pet. These shops also have a range of fun and funky tags on which the dog/cat’s name can be printed with your telephone number in just a few minutes.
3. Ensure that your home and garden is well fenced and that the fences and gates are in good working order. This should be done regularly as pets have a sneaky way of digging holes in well hidden spots behind bushes. One minute on a road can mean the end of your pet’s life. If your pet struggles with separation anxiety – seek vet help.
What to do if your pet does go missing
• Alert your neighbourhood using neighbourhood Whatsapp and facebook groups
• In the Helderberg – put a post on Helderberg Lost and Found Facebook Group
• Alert your nearest animal welfare/SPCA
• Phone all the vet clinics in your area and drop off/email a picture of the animal with your details.
• Do a thorough check of your home – including all drawers/cupboards/garages and outbuildings if it is a cat that is missing.
• Keep food out and a window open if a cat is missing.
• Do a thorough walk around your neighbourhood and alert your direct neighbours. Ask them to check their homes, garages and outbuildings too.
What to do if you find a lost pet
1. Approach the animal carefully – it may be injured or scared and is more likely to bite you to defend itself.
2. Try and pick up the pet and take it to your nearest vet/animal welfare/SPCA.
3. Take a picture and description (approximate age/size/colour and gender) as well as where you found the animal, and post on Helderberg Lost and Found, community Facebook and Whatsapp groups.
4. Phone other vets and welfare organisations nearby and alert them that the animal was found as they may be aware of an animal that has gone missing.
