LOST PET SEARCH AND RESCUE
If you have lost your pet, do not panic.
We’ll help you get started.
Please take a few moments to review our recommendations below.
Make sure that your cell phone (s) and charger are on hand should the need arise while you are out searching.
1. PRINT / CREATE A MAP TO LOG AND DOCUMENT SIGHTINGS
This may become handy in determining the direction they are travelling. Keep in mind that their direction could change if spoofed.
Document the time, location and direction travelled of each sighting. Use confirmed sightings to help adjust search patterns.
2. POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA : IF RADIO/TV IS AN OPTION, HAVE IT AIRED ON A LOCAL RADIO or TV STATION. (they may cover the story under exceptional circumstances)
SOCIAL MEDIA IS YOUR FRIEND AS THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PET LOVERS IN THE WORLD READY TO ASSIST.
Aside from the Windsor Essex County Humane Society Website, there are several area Facebook groups to join where you can post.
Below are just a few:
Lost and Found Pets of Windsor and Essex County
Lost Pets Chatham Kent
Lost and Found Pets in Lakeshore
Lost Pets of Tecumseh/Lakeshore/Belle River
SOS Lost and Found Pet Recovery Network Windsor Essex County Region Canada
Missing/Found Pets of Windsor/Essex County, Ontario
Lost and Found Pets of Windsor and Essex County
Lost and Found Pets of Ontario Canada.
Lost, Missing & Found Pets of Amherstburg, Ontario
Assign someone to post and monitor social media while you plan and embark on your search.
Be sure to contact other area pounds, including the Lakeshore Dog Pound (519-727-6495) and the Leamington/Kingsville Pound (519-796-3013).
3. CREATE & DISTRIBUTE FLYERS / POSTERS
Make as many as required. Keep it simple as all you want is someone to notify you of a sighting.
A PICTURE & BRIEF DESCRIPTION ALONG WITH YOUR CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER LARGE ENOUGH TO READ FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (2″ high or more).
Post on major intersections where vehicles slow down or stop. Leave copies in rural mailboxes.
4. COORDINATE YOUR SEARCH
This may be a better option than just driving around aimlessly.
If you are in a rural area, and for instance if it is a fairly large dog, rather than have everyone driving / crossing each others paths, station people at key points where they can look down roads to see the dog crossing or walking along the road.
If there are two people in a vehicle, parking perpendicular to the road may afford you an opportunity for each person looking their individual way.
Assign areas for volunteers versus aimless driving and crisscrossing.
5. SEARCHING BY DRONE
Drones can cover vast areas much quicker than walking. Even better, under certain circumstances, drones equipped with thermal cameras may also be an option.
Ideally, the more recent the sighting, the better the chances of finding the pet. Searching for pets in an area several days later may not be as successful as more current sightings might be.
Locally, Windsor Aerial Drone Photography is equipped to provide search capabilities. Call us at 519-999-1118.
Here is an example of what thermal imaging can do in a search and rescue operation:
6. BEWARE OF SCAMS
Yes, believe it or not, there are people out there that will take advantage of you in the situation. Everything from “send me money” to cover the dog food that I purchased right up to their quest for reward money.
DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY!
If their telephone number is not blocked, make a record of it. There’s no problem in providing reward money, but NEVER pay until your beloved pet is back in-hand.
DO NOT PAY FOR SIGHTINGS as greedy people will create sightings to get money from you.
THERE ARE MANY ARTICLES / WEBSITES which speak about lost pets.
FOR LOST PETS, HERE IS AN INTERESTING READ from the Missing Animal Response Network.
https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/lost-dog-behavior/
IT IS BETTER TO TAKE THE TIME NOW TO READ THIS, THAN WAIT FOR THE DAY WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR PET AS YOU WILL NOT WANT TO BE WASTING SEARCH TIME READING THE INTERNET WHEN YOUR PET IS LOST.
