You have lost your pet....

Realising that your pet is missing is a real shock.

Panic sets in and your mind goes blank.

What can I do? Where should I go?
Who can I talk to? Where do I start?

Remember the best thing to do if your pet goes missing is to stay calm.

Step by step guide to finding your lost pet

• Try and establish how and when your pet went missing. Put out water and food in your garden in case he/she comes back on his or her own.
• Search locally first and check with neighbours. Make sure your pet isn’t in someone’s garden or house. Ask neighbours to check garages and sheds in case the animal is locked in.
• Make sure everyone knows about your missing pet.
  • Ring your local Radio station with details. Many stations offer a free lost and found animal segment each day.
  • If your pet is microchipped, remember to inform the registration organisation.
  • (Dogs Only) Notify your local SPCA and Council Dog Control Officers in case they are handed in or collected.
  • Produce a poster describing your pet in as much detail as possible
    (breed, size, colour, and any distinguishing features), including a photograph. State when and where lost. Give contact details (day and evening). Download a free poster from our downloads page.
  • Distribute the leaflets to shops, vets, rescue centres, kennels, catteries, pubs, milkmen, postmen, farmers, neighbours. Pin on local notice boards.
  • Contact local newspapers to advertise your lost pet, or to do a special feature.
• If you are not keen to advertise your own telephone number, you may use the Animal Register 0800 number by arrangement with the Animal Register Limited lost and found.

If you follow these steps you stand a good chance of finding your missing pet. It may take time. You may need to repeat some of them. But whatever you do, don’t give up on your pet. He or she will never give up on you.

Once you have your pet back home again, please remember to:

• Notify everyone who was helping you look for your pet, and take down all the leaflets.
• Make sure your pet has a disc on his/her collar with your name, current address and phone number.
• Arrange for your dog or cat to be microchipped if they haven’t already been.
• Repair any broken fences or gates, in case this was how they escaped.
• Be careful in future about closing doors, gates and cage doors.
• Make sure you have a good photograph of your pet for identification purposes.
• Do keep your cat indoors for a suitable period if you have recently acquired them or moved house.