Finding your lost pet

Quick action and personal involvement in the recovery process are key components of recovering your lost pet.

Quick tips to start the search

• Search every nook and cranny of your house and grounds (cats are notorious for exploring new places).

• Place food, water, pet’s bedding, litter box (for cats) and your clothing (t-shirts, pajamas, pillow cases, etc) with your scent by location pet left from.

• Cats may return home by themselves, but that is not always the case. If they do, it tends to be after dark between 11pm and 5am. Make sure to check your exterior doors frequently throughout the night.

• Create a lost pet flyer at www.pawboost.com/dashboard/report-pet-form, grab a carrier or leash and start searching your neighborhood. Hang the flyers on street intersection poles.

• Talk to everyone you see especially children playing outside. Kids tend to notice animals!

• Notify your veterinary clinic, and any area humane societies or pet shelters to let them know your pet is missing. They will need the date and location where your pet went missing, a clear photo of your pet and your contact information.

• Contact your microchip company (if pet is microchipped) to report your missing pet. Confirm they have your current contact information.

• More Tips: ASPCA Finding A Pet, Petfinder Lost & Found Dogs, Petfinder Top 10 Tips for Finding Lost Cats

Tell the community about your lost pet

• Create a missing pet post on Petco Love Lost — a free, online tool that utilizes facial recognition technology to scan lost and found pet listings nationwide.

• Enlist family, friends and neighbors to help post flyers and spread the word on social media.

• Contact your local animal control representative to see if a report filed matches the description of the animal in your care.

Post and search reports on other online resources:

• Visit MAPS Lost a Pet listing at least once per day in the event someone found and brought your pet to us.

• Lost Dogs of Wisconsin on Facebook

• Lost Cats of Wisconsin on Facebook

• Craigslist

• Nextdoor Lost & Found

Follow up

When your pet is found, remember to take down any notices you've posted online and around your neighborhood and contact MAPS.