Contact Animal Control First

The first step you should take when your pet has somehow managed to run off and get lost is to contact your local animal control services. They will not only be able to help you determine if your pet has already been caught and is in holding at their facility, but they will also be aware that a pet matching your fur baby's description is indeed lost and has a chance of being picked up by them.

By notifying animal control as soon as possible, they will be able to immediately inform you if they receive any calls about your missing companion or if they've managed to pick them up, allowing you to be reunited much more quickly.

They typically work together in most areas, but also be sure to check in with your local animal shelters to see if your pet has been caught and is currently being held at one of these facilities. You may also want to call local veterinary clinics if your pet was captured (either well or injured) and brought to a vet clinic to be examined and checked for a microchip or other forms of identification. 

Spread the Word That Your Pet is Missing

After contacting your local animal control services, it's time to spread the word that your beloved pet has gone missing. You can do this in several ways, and the more you choose to use, the higher your chances of being reunited with your fur baby once they've finally been found.

If you're active on social media, one of the best first steps you can take is to make a post on Facebook, Twitter, or any other website that allows post sharing and include an image of your pet along with a description of them, where you last saw them, and where they likely may have headed (such as if you have a dog who is known to bolt out the door and try to make a dash to your local dog park for some fun all by itself). Include as much relevant information as possible, and encourage friends and family members to repost your pet's information to spread the word. If you have Nextdoor on your phone or computer (which is another new social app that allows users to connect to their neighbors and other app users within their actual community), this is a great resource to help spread the word and get your baby found and returned home.

If you don't use social media, you will strongly want to consider making some signs to post around town. This is a classic go-to for helping get the word out that your pet is missing from home. Many stores allow for printing images in bulk now, so you can easily find one close to you that will let you make your own "Missing Pet" sign. Be sure to include your pet's photo, any relevant information, and a number to contact you at if your beloved companion has been found. Consider handing these out to people in your community and posting them around the area. Some great folks to notify of your missing pet traveling around as part of their jobs include the mail carriers, police officers, and any delivery drivers you may find yourself crossing paths with. These individuals do nothing but travel and patrol your local area all day, so their chances of seeing your missing pet and contacting you with good news are very high!

Suppose your pet is very social and knows your area well. In that case, you may also want to check with any business or other places the two of your frequent together and see if they have decided to go on a solo adventure to get some free head pats, some treats, or something else they may commonly receive when the two of you go out. 

Leave Out Food or Familiar Items

After spreading the word and getting folks on the lookout for your precious pet, depending upon its breed, there are some things you can leave outdoors to encourage your pet to come home.

Dogs may respond well to having some of their favorite food left outdoors for them to track the scent back home. They may also be able to pick up the smell of their favorite bed or blanket and favorite chew toys. Leaving out some of your dog's favorite treats is also a great way to tempt them to hurry back home and get some of the good stuff.

For cat parents, it's well known that a great way to help your cat find its way back home is to set its litter box outside. This will help guide your fur baby back home in most cases. You'll also want to try leaving them some food and water. 

Physically Go Out and Search

As much as it's important to spread the word, post signs around town, and leave out important items to help lure your pet back home, it's equally as important that you go out and physically look for your missing companion. If you have a trusted friend or family member that you can let "house sit" for you if your pet returns home while you're out, that's even better!

Try to put yourself in your pet's hypothetical shoes and determine where they would be most likely to go. Does your cat like to chase wild rodents? Maybe they've decided it was time to head out on an adventure to go "hunting" for a bit. An outdoor cat may have strayed a bit further than usual in its outdoor activities, but it's also possible that an indoor one bolted out without being sure of what it was doing. Regarding cats, there are differences in what to expect based on their temperament and whether they've primarily lived indoors or outdoors.

Does your dog go absolutely bonkers for the local dog park and constantly want to go there? He or she may have decided you were taking too long to take them for a trip back there, so they headed there themselves. If they haven't been fixed, they may have noticed a potential mate of interest on that last walk and couldn't contain their curiosity after getting home.

If you have a reptilian pet, they are likely to be hidden somewhere close to the house but concealed well. The same goes for many amphibian pets, although they may also be tempted to venture out to any ideal watery habitats you may have nearby (such as a creek or pond).

Be careful when searching and try to make a list of everywhere you've checked to be sure you're covering all of your bases. For cats and dogs, make sure you bring a leash and some of your pet's favorite treats to help coax them back to you and cut their vacation short so that they can come home. It's essential to perform exhaustive physical searches of your own home, your neighbors' properties, and anywhere close to home in case your pet is injured and hiding. 

Set Humane Traps

If all else fails or if you've adopted a rescue pet that has difficulties with being skittish or fearful around people or animals, your last resort may need to be setting a humane trap to capture the lost pet.

Many of these available allow you to carefully and safely capture an animal without any risk of harm. These types of traps are typically used when needing to relocate an animal like a pesky raccoon or possum. Still, they are also used to sometimes catch feral cats for the sake of medical treatment or sterilization to prevent the growth of the wild cat population in an area.

Successfully finding your lost pet in Greenville, SC

One of the best ways to ensure you don't have to worry about your pet becoming lost is to take a few simple precautions. The easiest way to have your pet able to be identified and returned home is to make sure they're microchipped. Even if your microchipped pet were to run a hundred miles away, the instant a vet or a shelter worker can scan for a microchip and pull up your fur baby's information, you can immediately be contacted and reunited.

This is an affordable and crucial factor in helping avoid pets being lost or even rehomed when original pet parents didn't claim them after running off.

Additionally, always ensure regular checkups of your home safety, habits when coming in and out of the home, and any training that may be possible for your pet to keep them safe. Avoid leaving doors open or any outside gates open, and try to make sure your pet is either well secured in their enclosure (for species that this applies to) or well-trained in "stay" or recall commands for those that free-roam the home. Do everything you possibly can to avoid an escape and risk potential injury or loss associated with your beloved companion.

Even if you have a non-traditional pet (such as livestock, reptiles, or other exotics), we're here to help. If your pet is at risk of making a run for it due to boredom or loneliness from your hectic work schedule, feel free to contact us here at Happy Paws! We will gladly come to perform home drop-in visits to spend time with your animals, feed them, and play with them while you're working hard to provide them with a great life.

We hope these tips are helpful in the unfortunate circumstance of you searching for a lost pet in Greenville, South Carolina.