LOST A PET?
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL IDEAS
  • Immediately contact area agencies and shelters that maintain a "Lost and Found" list to see if your pet has been brought in. Try agencies such as:
  • Your local Humane Society or animal control.
  • Place an ad in the newspaper's "Lost and Found" section (which many papers will run for free) and read the "Found" ads daily. In your ad leave out some determining characteristic and be sure to have callers describe the animal for you, don't describe it for them.
  • Visit Animal Control and the Humane Society EVERY DAY or so. Your pet could be there and your description over the phone may not be enough to tell them exactly what your pet looks like. It could mean your pet's life.
  • Call vet clinics and ask if they have treated any found pets.
  • Post flyers with your pet's picture in the area you lost your pet, in addition to posting them in pet stores, supermarkets, Meijer, etc. (Be sure to date your notices and remove them if your pet is found.)
  • For more detailed information visit www.petrescue.com
  • Contact www.1888pets911.com for help finding a lost pet.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PET
  • Pet proof your fence and keep it locked.
  • When taking your pet anywhere, always have your dog on a leash and your cat in a carrier.
  • Have photos of your pet available in case they do get lost.
  • Make sure they are wearing a collar I.D. tag with your phone number and address at all times.
  • You can also have your pet microchipped by your veterinarian for easy identification purposes.
  • Have your pet spayed or neutered and they will be less likely to run off.

FOUND AN ANIMAL?
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL IDEAS
  • Contact area agencies and shelters that maintain a "Lost and Found" list to report the animal was found. Give them a complete description and your phone number so they can contact you if the owner shows up. Try agencies such as:
  • Your local Humane Society or animal control.
  • Place an ad in the classified section of the newspaper (weekends have highest readership) and Penny Saver. Be sure to leave out some determining characteristic and ask any caller claiming to be the owner to describe the animal to you. Don't describe it to them.
  • Call ahead to a veterinarian to scan the animal for a microchip
  • Call veterinarians and ask if they have any reports of missing pets.
  • Post flyers around the area you found the pet and on bulletin boards in veterinary clinics, pet stores, supermarkets, Meijer, etc. (Be sure to date your notices and remove them when the pet is placed.)
  • If you've found orphaned puppies or kittens, click here for specific information: www.kalamazooanimalrescue.org

DO THE RIGHT THING AND BE RESPONSIBLE
THE BEST WAY TO FIND A GOOD HOME FOR A DESERVING PET

Whether it's an animal you have found and no owner has come forward to claim it, or you must give up your own cherished pet for one reason or another, it is best to actually find the home yourself. Animal shelters are overflowing with animals in need of homes. Even a beautiful healthy dog or cat can start to go downhill quickly when left in a shelter. A "No-Kill" shelter (if you can find space in one) can take years to find a home for some animals. Make sure the pet is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and well behaved for optimum appeal. If your pet needs training, do so before trying to "re-home" him. Spread the word amongst family, friends and co-workers.

After exhausting all the avenues above for finding an owner, there are online postings and resources available to you.
  • Muffins Pet Connection at www.muffins.org will post a photo and description that will be visited by hundred of people looking to adopt. They also offer other assistance.
  • www.1888pets911.com is also a sight to post lost and found animals.
  • www.petfinder.org has link called "Post a Pet" where you can post a description of a pet up for adoption.
  • www.petrescue.com and www.kalamazooanimalrescue.org have additional information including how to screen prospective adopters, sample adoption agreements and samples of a "good" classified ad.
  • Also it is important to be sure:
    • NEVER to give an animal away to a stranger for free. Some people actually use free dogs to train fighting dogs or to sell for research. A free pet is a disposable pet. See www.kalamazooanimalrescue.org for details on the importance of this point.
    • To visit the prospective owner's home
    • That this loving adoptive family is committed to this animal for life and if it doesn't work out they will return the pet TO YOU.
    • The pet will be kept inside as part of the family.
    • There is a pet proof fence and gate.
  • You can contact every shelter and rescue group (see Kyler Laird under "Available Pets") frequently to see if they have a foster home available.
For more information on offering your pet "Free to a Good Home", please visit Animal Aid

GOOD LUCK!

WILDLIFE
If you've found an injured wildlife animal such as a bird or rabbit contact a local rehabilitator. Note: If coming across a baby wild animal, it is almost always best to leave it alone and check back on it periodically. The mother is probably nearby even though you cannot see her.
  1. For a list of wildlife rehabilitators in Indiana, visit www.wildlifecare.org/listindiana.html#INDIANA
  2. In Bloomington, for small mammals contact: Wildcare, Inc. www.wildcareinc.org 812-323-1313