Losing your pet can be overwhelming, but the most important thing is not to panic and stay calm.
For National Lost Pet Prevention Month, our vets have put together expert tips on what to do if your pet goes missing and how you can try to prevent this. Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed way to stop your pet from going missing – but you’ll be prepared with our guide if it does happen.
How can I prevent my pet from getting lost?
Sadly, there’s a chance that your furry friend could go missing. But you can try to keep your pet safe and do some things to prevent this, including:
- Microchipping your cat, dog or smaller pets. It’s also essential to make sure that your microchip details are up to date. You should also check that your dog is wearing a collar and a tag (even at home) so that they can be identified if they do escape.
- Getting your pets neutered. Not only will this prevent unwanted litters, but there can be health and behavioural benefits as well. Neutered pets are also less likely to wander in search of mates.
- Making sure your garden is pet-proof and secure. This includes having a robust and secure fence that needs to be tall enough so that your pet can’t escape and make sure that there are no gaps they can squeeze through.
- Keeping your pets indoors during bad weather or scary events such as fireworks. This is to prevent your pet from getting scared and running away. We also recommend checking your fencing afterwards to make sure your garden is still secure.
- Ensuring that windows and doors are closed. We recommend you do this so your furry friend can’t escape this way. You should also make sure that your pet is secure when answering the door as well.
Keeping your dog on a lead. Only allow them off their lead if you’re sure about recall. Find out more about training here.
What should I do if I’ve lost my pet?
Step 1: Check their favourite spots
If your pet has favourite locations across your house, check these areas first to see if they are hiding here. With any luck, your furry friend may have just found a cosy spot and wrapped themselves up.
Step 2: Ask your neighbours
Check with your neighbours and ask if any have seen your pet. You never know, your lost cat or dog may have just wandered into their garden and gotten stuck somewhere. They may have even slipped into a garage or garden shed and got locked in. It’s also worth checking your old address if you’ve recently moved to make sure that your pet hasn’t gone to the wrong house.
Step 3: Report them missing to your microchip database
For cats and dogs, it’s a legal requirement in the UK for them to have a microchip fitted. When you report them missing to your microchip database, this will put an alert out and will note your pet as missing when scanned.
Step 4: Contact your local vet
Someone may have found your lost pet and handed them to your local vet or rescue centre. Check with the ones in your area to make sure that your pet isn’t there. It’s a good idea to let them know anyway, so you can give them your contact details in case your missing pet does appear.
Step 5: Raise awareness to the public
Most areas have a couple of local groups on social media. Have a look to see if anyone has mentioned a lost pet. You can even use this group to let everyone know that your pet is missing so that people can keep an eye out and contact you if they show up.
There are lots of websites designed to find missing pets, which you can search and add your pet to. It can also be helpful to put up posters and hand out flyers in your local area to let people know who aren’t on social media to look out for your pet. However, be careful of some scams that can come from these with people demanding money when they don’t have your pet. So be careful with the information that you do share.
What should I do if I think my pet was stolen?
Sometimes, pets can be stolen from their owners – especially valuable or pedigree breeds. If you think that your pet has been stolen, you should follow the same steps mentioned above and you should notify the police to let them know.
How can I help my lost pet get used to being back home?
When your pet returns home, it will be quite scary for them. There may be a lot of new smells and changes in your home that they’ll need to adjust to. Here are a few steps to help them get settled:
1. Take them to the vet for a check-up
Even if they’ve only been missing for a short amount of time, take them to the vet. They could’ve easily gotten hurt while they were gone.
2. Get them into a routine
Of course, give them time to adjust to being back home and get them set up with their own space. But, once they’re comfortable, try and get your furry friend back into a routine by feeding them at the same time and playing with them.
While we know everyone in your family will be excited to have your pet back home, your pet may be overwhelmed and distressed by the whole situation. So, try to limit the number of visitors you have and reintroduce people slowly.
3. Be patient
You may notice that your pet is behaving a little differently and they may even have accidents in the house. Don’t get angry with them - just brush up on their reward based training, and schedule another trip to the vet if their behaviour doesn’t return to normal. Remember to be patient when training your cat and dog.
For more advice on what to do if your pet goes missing, read our extensive guide here.