Erie Animal Network
For the animals-By the people!
We want your pet to get home as much as you do. Our network has posted for thousands of lost & found local pets to date.
Here are some steps to take when your pet goes missing:
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1- Make Calls.
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2- Get Searching.
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3- Use the Internet.
Call all the local shelters to file a missing report. Numbers here
Get out looking. Let your neighbors know your
​pet is missing. Consider placing a missing pet sign in your window or yard.
Get online. Place an ad on Craigslist and request an alert from Erie Animal Network on facebook.
About Missing Cats:
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​Is your cat missing? How the cat acts INSIDE your home, will offer clues to how you can find them OUTSIDE. Indoor only cats who suddenly find themselves outside are often overwhelmed. All cats in this situation usually find a hiding spot first to sit, wait and observe. Then their personality type kicks in. Shy cats will continue to hide and wait. More outgoing cats will often hide, and then try to approach the home, another spot, or someone else. Always get out on foot to look for your missing cat. Here are some top tips we have seen work here on EAN. We have posted for over 400 cats now, and have seen many happy endings, and some unfortunately are still missing. Never give up!
1- Ask your neighbors to open their garages, sheds, or other access buildings in case your cat slipped inside.
2- Check under shrubs, cars, and other hiding spots. Think like your cat, and look for the spots that look appealing to hide.
3- Place a piece of your worn clothing outside. Even if confused, they will recognize your smell.
4- Even if you don't see them, put out food and water for them. Warm up canned cat food to entice them.
5- Your best chance of finding them is at night, when the noise of the day has died down. (This doesn't mean you should not look during the day, but evening is more quiet and offers more confidence to a scared cat in hiding)
6- If they like treats, shake the container or bag and call for them
7- In the winter, keep your deck and area around your home well shoveled for them. Cats don't like to stand, sit or wait in snow and will seek out cleared ground. (like under trees, cars etc)
8- Try using a humane trap set with highly scented food like tuna. (Always watch the trap, and never leave it unattended...unset the trap if you cannot watch. You don't want critters being trapped or your own cat stuck without being brought in immediately.)
9- Place a missing sign in your yard, call all the shelters to make a missing report, use flyers, and let your neighbors know. Get the word out!
10- Be proactive today for your cat. Get current photos, get them UTD on all shots regularly, get them spayed or neutered if they are not!, get a breakaway collar with ID tag, and get them microchipped.
If your dog goes missing, his or her personality and behaviors will play a factor in where and how far they will go, and even their chances of being found by a Good Samaritan. Dog escapes are often due to opportunity. A hole in the fence, an untrained dog who always bolts out the door, or during an ordinary walk something can trigger fear or excitement, and off the dog goes. Dogs usually take the path of least resistance on their travels. Woods look interesting, a new backyard to smell- all appeal to a dog, but if there are barriers such as fences, heavy brambles, or other obstacles, you dog will usually avoid that path. This is often why dogs will be spotted on sidewalks, and in the road, especially in the wintertime with heavy snow.
1- Don't wait a moment to go looking for your dog. ​
Drive the neighborhood, let your neighbors know your dog is missing, and get out there looking as soon as possible. Some dogs are found in the area they went missing from. Some dogs run for hours before they stop to rest. Your dogs age, breed and personality all can play a factor in how far they will go.
2- Leave someone at the house. Often times, a dog will return home on his own. If your dog comes back, someone should be there waiting for him.
3-Special Circumstances: Dog missing from an unfamiliar area- Dogs who go missing from a strange home or place, often circle back to the same EXACT spot they left, hours later. If your dog went missing from a friend's home, a park, other location, post someone there to wait. In addition to getting out into the area to look.
4- If you spot your dog, do not chase him! Sit on the ground or turn sideways and call to him in a friendly non threatening voice. Use treats, toys and a seated submissive demeanor to let him come to you.
5- Look close to home AND far from home. Never assume your dog couldn't travel 'that far'. Check out all leads. Dogs can cover much ground when on the run.
6- Place a missing sign in your yard, call all the shelters to make a missing report, use flyers, and let your neighbors know. Get the word out!
7- Be proactive today for your dog. Get current photos, get them UTD on all shots regularly, get them spayed or neutered if they are not!, get a collar with ID tag, and get them microchipped.
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About Missing Dogs:
