PET TIPS

Lost a pet     Found a pet     Claim a pet
Safety     Neuter/Spay
Birds     Pet Scams     Get Involved

Lost a Pet?

  1. Put your lost pet's information on TelephonePole.net.
  2. Notify your neighbors, mail personnel, gas personnel; ask around the neighborhood if anyone has seen/located your pet and show them the picture of your pet.
  3. Call/visit your local Humane Societies/Shelters everyday and put up pictured flyers. Try and visit ALL shelters and their web sites. The shelter employees are overworked and underpaid. It is up to you to be vigilant. Do not just take someone's word that your pet is not there. Go and check yourself.
  4. Put something that has either your scent or your pet's scent, e.g. your shirt, pet's blanket, or toy, at or near the area that your pet was lost. Animals have a strong sense of smell... they will go to what is familiar.
  5. Put up flyers (bright paper works the best) around the area where you lost your pet.
  6. Important: Post the word "Reward". Even if it is a small reward, people will go the extra mile. FYI: Beware of pet scams.
  7. Needs medication! Add this to your flyer/ad. People will be less likely to keep your pet.
  8. Put your pet's picture on the flyer and as many details as possible.
  9. Pets, especially dogs, travel miles within minutes. Post as many flyers as possible.
  10. Look at the found submissions on this web site. Look at every ad. Some people will not know the breed and post the wrong breed, e.g. you lost a Pug and someone posts "found Chihuahua".
  11. Call friends and relatives to caravan.
  12. Go to local veterinarian's office & advise them you have lost your pet. Show recent photos of your pet. Ask them if you can hang up flyers.
  13. Post and scan ads on Craigslist, in the Classified section of the local newspaper, the Pennysaver, and other online lost/found sites like Metropettracker. Go to your local pet stores, animal shelters, and dog parks to hang flyers.
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Found a Pet?

  1. If they have a tag, call the numbers and keep the animal safe.
  2. If there is no telephone number on it, but it has an ID number, call your local shelters. They should have information on the animal. Try to keep the animal at your home until you hear from either the shelter or owner. Animals that are surrendered to shelters have a chance of catching kennel cough or other illnesses.
  3. No tag: they might have a microchip. Take the animal to a local vet or shelter. They can scan the animal for a microchip.
  4. If there is no tag or microchip, put up "Found" flyers around the area where you found the animal. DO NOT put the picture of the animal on the flyer. Describe the animal with the minimum of detail. Sadly, there are people who look for ads/flyers to find animals to sell, experiment on, fight, and sacrifice. If you cannot locate the original owner, NEVER put up an ad/flyer that says "Free to a good home".
  5. Go to your local Humane Societies/Shelters to find out if the pet fitting the description you found is lost.
  6. Put up "Found" flyers at the Humane Societies/Shelters and at local vets' offices. Any responsible owner will go the shelters and look for their pet.
  7. Try to keep the animal at your home... granted you have made the found animal available for finding. If you are absolutely unable to do that, then surrender him to a nearby shelter.
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Someone Comes to Claim the Pet:

  1. Have them describe the pet down to every detail.
  2. Ask for the vet's name and number.
  3. Meet them at their house.
  4. Ask for a recent photo, medical records, paperwork, etc. to prove that this pet is really their pet.
  5. Have them give you their name, address, and phone number. Ask for a photo ID to prove their identity.
  6. Don't feel like you are intruding by asking these questions. The real owner of the pet would understand.
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Losing a Pet is Devastating! Keeping Your Pet Safe:

  1. Tags,Tags,Tags! A tag with name, address, phone numbers, and/or ID number could be the difference between your pet being permanently lost or easily found.
  2. Photos of your pet are a must. Make sure you have current photos of all your pets.
  3. Secure your yard. Always be conscious of gates that are easily opened. Make sure your pet cannot squeeze through any openings in any part of the yard.
  4. Have your dog on a lead when out of any fenced area. Dogs that are on a lead cannot run in front of a car. We have heard too many times how someone's trained dog ran out in front of an oncoming car. Such tragedies can be avoided.
  5. Gardeners, pool maintenance personnel, gas company personnel, etc. are not as careful as you might be to shut gates/doors properly. Make sure when service personnel come around that your pets are secure. It is also a good idea to keep pets secure during this time in case of any surprise bites. It will save on your homeowner's insurance.
  6. Neuter/Spay!!!! Many pets in heat will stray during this time. Male dogs, especially, will travel far and wide to find females in heat. Females may also stray and attract male dogs. When pets are neutered/spayed, they do not have a tendency to wander off as much. Some may be less aggressive. Licensing fees are 5x's cheaper! Pets that are neutered/spayed are healthier. Between 4 - 5 million of dogs and cats are euthanized per year!!! Please neuter/spay your pet!!
  7. Common questions about Microchips.
  8. Do not sell your animals/pets on the internet! It is careless, cruel, and a danger for buyer and pet. You don't know where the animal came from and/or how his temperament is. Our shelters are overflowing with homeless pets. Please go to BAD RAP's website and learn more.
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Get Involved; There Are a Number of Ways to Help:

  1. Become more aware. It is often easy to be oblivious to lost or stray animals -- especially while driving.
  2. Pick up a friendly stray animal. Keep a leash in your car and/or treats to make it easier to rescue animals.
  3. Post an animal on this site, other pet sites, and your local shelters.
  4. Spread the word... Tell your friends and neighbors about this site.
  5. Educate yourself. Become a responsible pet owner and help others to do the same. Ignorance and negligence are the biggest contributors to the problem of lost pets.
  6. Have an idea for our site? Let us know... Contact Us
  7. Become a sponsor to the site. Your contribution will help our small volunteer staff keep this site up and running, enable us to grow, and reach a wider number of people. Please help make a difference by supporting this site and becoming a part of the solution.
  8. Donate. If TelephonePole.net has helped you and you want to give back, you can make a donation.
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