ID YOUR PET (and keep these links for future reference)!
Word to the wise... Courtesy of Second Home Pet Boarding in Moon Valley - Phoenix
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Lady, Slim and Doc all have tags and microchip
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Have you ever found a pet and not known what to do? Or even worse, lost one and were unsure where to begin your search? There are so many resources available; we'd like to help you know how to reach a happy ending for both you and the misplaced pet! Before you find yourself missing a beloved pet, your first safeguard is to keep a collar with tags (with up-to-date contact information) on your dog at all times. Although your pet may dislike the collar at first, he will get used to it! A collar and current tag can ensure your pet finds his way home in case he does somehow get out.
A pet microchip is also a great back-up ID solution. Available at most veterinary clinics or animal shelters, costs of the chip and registration can range between $10-$75 depending on the provider. After having your pet chipped, you will need to register either online or by mail so your missing pet can be traced back to you. Also, if you later move or change your number, you will have to contact the microchip company with this information, which is easy to overlook! If these safeguards fail or you find a lost pet and don't know how to find her owner, there are numerous resources available to you:
One of the best pet "lost and found" websites is Pets911. Pets911 allows you to search by area, breed, and gender for lost pets and also report a stray pet you may have found. Other options available to you include looking on Craigslist under both the "Pets" and the "Lost and Found" sections, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, Petfinder, Arizona Humane Society, and PetHarbor. Also, some local newspapers will allow you to run free ads if you find a pet.
One of the most effective techniques is to put large-print fliers up at major cross streets wtihin a 2-mile radius of your home, or the area where you found the pet. Some communities have sign ordinance restrictions, so be sure to check first or take fliers down promptly. If you find a pet you can take her to the Arizona Humane Society or a nearby veterinary clinic to be scanned for a microchip. Most important, don't give up - many pets have been reunited with their families months, and even years, after they first went missing! We recommend that you use not one, but most or all of the suggestions above for the best results.
