Lost a Pet?
We know how stressful and upsetting it is when a beloved pet goes missing. That’s why HSNT is here to help! When your beloved dog or cat strays from home, it can be a traumatic experience for both of you. Here are some tips that we hope will help you find your pet.
Contact Local Animal Shelters and Animal Control Agencies
Visit your nearest animal shelter daily to look for your pet in person. Calling can help, but paying a visit is so much more worthwhile! You will want to be absolutely sure that you don't overlook any animals. Animal Control facilities can be very busy with new pets coming in by the hour.
If you live in Fort Worth, you should also visit the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control facility daily. HSNT’s main shelter at 1840 E. Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76103 is the only HSNT location that takes in strays. The Lost & Found Department is open from 12 p.m.–6 p.m. daily. We are open by appointment only at this time.
If you live in another city, please download our North Texas Shelters Reference Guide here. If you live within 5-miles of another city, we recommend that you also visit that city's shelter daily as well.
File a lost pet report with every shelter within a 60 mile radius of your home and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible. If there is no shelter in your community, contact the local police department to find out the locations and contact information of the animal control that serves your area. Provide these agencies with an accurate description and a recent photograph of your pet. Notify the police if you believe your pet was stolen.
Search the Neighborhood
Walk or drive through your neighborhood several times each day. Ask neighbors, mail carriers and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a recent photograph of your pet and information on how you can be reached if your pet is found. Leave out your pet's bowl of food and a blanket or shirt that smells like you to attract their scent back home.
Advertise
Harness the power of social media! Spread the word about your missing pet by posting it on your Facebook page, Facebook Neighborhood and Local Groups and to your local NextDoor website/app and ask that your friends share the posts, too.
Post notices in local coffees shops, grocery stores, community centers, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, pet supply stores and other locations in the community. Include a description of your pet's gender, age, weight, breed, color and any special markings as well as a photograph.
Here's an easy way to Build A Lost Pet Poster to be shared in your community. Please email your completed poster to our Lost & Found Department at lostandfound@hsnt.org and other organizations and animal control facilities.
Take a moment to read these additional resources to help find your lost pet.
Don't Give Up!
Animals who have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners. A pet—even an indoor pet—has a better chance of being returned if they always wear a collar and an ID tag with your name, address and telephone number.
Found a Pet?
If you have found a stray, please contact the local animal control in the area closest to where you found the pet. Taking the pet to a local shelter will increase the likelihood of the pet being reunited with their owner.
Please download our North Texas Shelters Reference Guide for a list of available resources.
If you still need assistance or to surrender a stray, please call (817) 332-4768 x106 or email our Animal Resource Center to schedule an appointment at HSNT’s main shelter at 1840 E. Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76103 . Your voicemail or email will be returned within 24 hours.
HSNT provides microchipping services for pets 7 days a week at all open locations for $15. A microchip for your pet can save their life if they are ever lost as it substantially increases the likelihood of a pet returning home by offering secure, reliable, unique and permanent identification.
Information for this blog post provided by www.humanesociety.org.
Pets and People, Saving Each Other™
HSNT’s mission is to act as an advocate on behalf of all animals and to ensure their legal, moral and ethical consideration and protection; to provide for the well-being of animals who are abandoned, injured, neglected, mistreated or otherwise in need; to promote an appreciation of animals; and to instill respect for all living things.