Pets go missing all the time.  We all like to think it won't be our pet but it will happen to all of us sooner or later.  What would you do if your pet went missing or if you found someone else's?

Pets go missing for a number of reasons.  Some are simply allowed to wander but most get out through no fault of their owner - when visitors don't shut the gate properly or when burglars let them out or when the fence blows over.  Frightened pets are capable of escaping from normally secure yards, as are undesexed pets in breeding season.  

What to do if you lose your pet

1.    Call the rangers for every council in your area (not just the one you are in but neighbouring councils as well).  This is mainly for dogs though they may hear of cats.
2.    For cats call Cat Haven.
3.    Call the RSPCA.  They do not take in strays but may have heard of your pet.
4.    Call all the vets within several kilometres of home.  Finders may take your pet to their local vet not yours.
5.    Walk the surrounding area.  Cats do not often go far but dogs can travel several suburbs in a very short time.  Take your lead and dog treats for your dog.  For cats, call them and look under cars, under bushes, on roofs, and in trees (cats can go almost anywhere and will do so if frightened.)  Talk to your neighbours, they may have seen something and ask them to check their back yards and sheds for cats and other small pets that may have wandered in unnoticed.
6.    Put up notices on local noticeboards – check shopping centres, libraries, and sporting venues.
7.    Put an ad in the community newspapers.
8.    Check the local papers, the West Australian, and local noticeboards for found ads.
9.    Keep looking.  Finders will often hang onto pets, hoping their owners will find them, and it may be weeks before they hand them in.

What to do if you find a pet

     1. If the pet has ID or you know it – return it.
2. If it is a dog call the rangers for the council in which you FOUND the dog.  This is the first place people will look for their dog.
3.    If it is a cat call the Cat Haven.  
4.    Do NOT keep strays.  Their owner is looking for them.  They are probably not as neglected and starving as they seem after a day or two on the street.  It is an offence to keep someone else's property when you find it, and people have been charged.
This is all you need do.  If you wish to do more:
5.    Call the RSPCA.  They will not take strays but may have had a call from animal's owner.
6.    Call the vets in the surrounding area.
7.    Doorknock the local area.  Cats and small pets do not usually go far (entire animals in breeding season can go a lot further) but dogs can travel long distances.
8.    If the rangers or Cat Haven cannot collect your stray, bring it into us and we can hold it here until it can be collected.
9.    Community newspapers may print found ads for free.
10.    Check the papers and local noticeboards for lost notices.

How to Avoid Losing Your Pet

1.    Put ID tags on your pet and leave them on all the time if possible.  Dogs are required to wear ID tags with their owner's name, address, and phone number when in public.  They are also required to wear their council registration tag.  If possible leave these on all the time.  Put collars and tags on your cats.  No one ever expects their pet to go missing but it will happen to every pet at least once in their life.  ID may be the difference between getting them back and never seeing them again.  It is worth considering putting more than one phone number on your ID tags and also consider adding your vet's number.  You want to use numbers which are not likely to change often and are likely to be manned most of the day.
2.    Microchip your pet.  Microchips cannot fall off or be removed.  Most councils, Cat Haven, RSPCA, and many vets scan all strays.  Thousands of Perth animals are already chipped.
3.    Secure your property so that your pet cannot get out.  Make sure your fences are solid and high enough.  Self-closing gates will stop the kids letting the dog out.  More and more people are building runs for their cats to protect them from the dangers of the road and other animals.
4.    Desex your pet.  Entire animals will do whatever it takes to get to potential mates, including jumping through window panes and screen doors (we have had to treat the resulting injuries).  
5.    Talk to us about anxiety problems.  Nervous dogs will injure themselves getting out of their yards during thunderstorms and fireworks displays.  Others will escape whenever they are left alone.  These behaviours are potentially fatal and can be improved.