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Hernando Today

Begin the search for lost pets immediately

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 11, 2008

The number of lost and found pets reported to shelters in our community seems to have increased substantially in the past few months. There is no reason for a pet to be unidentified when it wanders from home. A few simple precautions will make sure that a heartbroken family is reunited with their pet.

Microchipping of pets has become very affordable and one of the best ways to identify a lost pet. It is a simple injection of a chip under the pet's skin. They have improved the design of the chip to avoid migration to other parts of the body and most scanners used in shelters are universal and will read a chip from any manufacturer. This avoids the problem of a pet's collar coming off along with the I.D. tags attached to it.

A county pet license and a name tag with your contact information attached to your pet's collar is an additional precaution to identify your pet. There is no such thing as too much ID for a pet who cannot speak for themselves.

Should your pet become lost, begin your search immediately. We have actually had families come in and report their pet as missing for two weeks and they are only now coming to report it to the shelter. Shelters usually only hold a found pet for five days before they will adopt it out to a new home.

Search every shelter in the county for your pet. Do not just call the shelters. Only you can be sure if your pet is there. Not every pet parent describes their pet the same way others may see their pet. Leaving a photo of your pet at each shelter will help them identify your pet should they be brought in when found. But to be sure, visit often and see for yourself.

Also, one of the most effective methods to search for your pet is to place a 'lost ad' in every newspaper in the county. Offering a reward can also be helpful. Many families may find a lost pet and find it to be so sweet, that if they do not see someone looking for the animal they decide to keep the pet and give it a home.

It is easy to think that getting lost will never to happen to our pet, but it can happen to any family pet and we owe it to our beloved companions to protect them against the potential of becoming homeless. We see it every day. Protect your pet.

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