• This is not so. Most owners of lost animals are searching for their beloved pets via newspaper ads, reports to police and animal control departments, posting fliers in their neighborhood, etc.

Many people also assume that animals that are not wearing id tags do not have identification.

• This is not necessarily true. Many animals are tattooed or microchipped, both permanent forms of identification.

Many people also assume that only irresponsible, uncaring owners lose their pets.

• This is also not true. Accidents happen! Most pets become lost at least once in their lifetime.

• Complete the Found Animal Report.
• If the animal is wearing i.d. tags, contact the owner immediately.
• If the animal is wearing a rabies tag, call the appropriate county's Rabies Control department and give them the tag number. They will provide you with the owner information.
• Many animals that are not wearing tags are implanted with microchips, a permanent form of identification. All local stray holding facilities and police departments have scanners to read the chips. The owner information can be traced from the microchip number.
• Most lost animals are found within a ten-block radius of where they were lost. Post FOUND PET fliers in this area. Look for LOST PET fliers in the area.
• Run a FOUND PET ad in the local paper. Many local papers run found pet ads for free. Look for LOST PET ads in the local paper.
• If you cannot get a hold of the owner right away, take the animal to the stray holding facility closest to the area where the animal was found as soon as possible. This will give the owner the best chance possible of finding their lost pet!