Pet Party Line is a column written by Beth Byrd and is featured weekly in The Citizen News, one of our local newspapers.

Help for Lost/Found Pets

My dog wandered off when the back gate was accidentally left open. What can I do?

Since our pets are family, it is heartbreaking to lose one. Here are some steps to help return Spot or kitty cat home.

• Check and call all neighbors and ride around the areas near your home. Make sure a network of your friends has a good description of your pet and get them to spread the word.


• Check with your local veterinarians and animal care organizations.


• Make ups fliers with a photo of your pet. If you don’t have a photo of your pet when you are read this article, take one now! Put contact information and only leave a phone number where someone will answer or where a message can be left. Place the fliers at the vets, etc., around your neighborhood, at convenience and grocery stores. Make sure they are not attached to utility poles since it is against the law in many places.


• When you acquire or adopt a pet, please make sure it has a collar and current rabies and ID tags with your name and contact numbers. You can also order wonderful collars that have the pet’s name and numbers sewn into the collar and lead. The best ID system and is the microchip. It’s painless and is universal.


• Many breeds of dogs have their own rescue organizations and there are web sites on the Internet which will aid in lost and rescued animals. It is certainly worth contacting them with your information.


• If you FIND an animal and the “owner “ calls to claim it, remember this - always screen the person thoroughly about the animal. Ask a question about a detail or trait that only the owner would know. Sadly to say, some animals are claimed and used for fighting or lab experimentation. We definitely want to protect your pet against this.