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What to do when your pet goes missing

Don't forget to message our facebook page, Find Toby in PA with the details needed to create a post: a photo of your lost pet, City & State where lost, streets at the nearest intersection or a nearby landmark, date lost, and contact information we can include in our post.  Additional information which is helpful - Pet name, gender, if wearing collar/tags, if microchipped, helpful descriptive details.

Find Toby in PA provides links to outside sources & businesses as a reference.

We do not endorse any business but wish to provide our followers with as much information and additional resources as we can.

Please note that some entities will charge a fee for their services.

LOST PET TIPS

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  • Food & Scent Station

    • Put items out that smell like their favorite person (worn unwashed garments) - and a soft bed or blanket. For cats - a carrier or box may be a safe place for a scared cat to hide.

    • Put out water.

    • Put out smelly enticing food - dogs tend to like hot dogs, bacon, canned dog food, rotisserie chicken, leftover scraps; cats tend to like canned salmon, rotisserie chicken, tuna in oil; other pets - use their favorite food/grain.  Place in a covered area like a garage or covered porch.

  • File Reports with: 

  • Flyers: You can print a free flyer at lostmydoggie or pawboost sites or request one from Find Toby in PA.

    • Large on neon posterboard with LOST, a good picture and your phone number.  Click here for tips.

    • Place at intersections, community and business areas. 

    • Flood a 3-mile radius with flyers, they are your best chance of getting a sighting of your lost dog. 

    • Give a flyer to your UPS, FedEx and mail carrier.

  • Notify Neighbors: Give a flyer or picture of your pet and your phone number.  Stress to them to not call out or chase a dog.  Ask them to keep in sight and call you immediately with exact time, location and direction headed if the dog left.

  • Check Shelters: Check back often, go in person, ask to walk through to check for your lost pet.

  • Trail Cameras - Also be sure that neighbors with security cameras and ring doorbells are aware of and on the lookout for your missing pet.

  • Beware of myths & scams around lost pets​

    • Sadly, there are people who will try to take advantage of owners searching for their pets or good Samaritans who are looking out for a found pet trying to locate their owners.  Scammers are prevalent and have been seen attempting to impersonate law enforcement as well as local veterinarians.

    • Be cautious responding to text messages from people claiming to be owner/finder of a lost pet.

    • DO NOT send money!

    • DO NOT click links via text.

    • If you are unsure in any way, reach out to your local law enforcement, dog warden, animal control, or shelter for assistance.  Find Toby in PA volunteers are available through messenger on our facebook page from 8am to 10pm daily also.

DOGS​

CATS​

  • There are some similarities and a few differences in how you handle a lost indoor only or a lost indoor/outdoor cat.​

    • Indoor Only Cats will typically hide close to home, MAR study indicates most lost indoor cats are found within 3 house radius from their home.

    • Indoor-Outdoor Cats may go a little farther from home, MAR study indicates most lost indoor-outdoor cats are found within 17 house radius.

    • SEARCH! Cats hide in silence.  Making noise will give away their location to a predator.

    • Using a flashlight and crinkly bag of smelly treats, go out at night, shake the bag and look for eyes.  If you see your cat, sit down, speak softly while tossing treats. 

    • Don’t forget to look up: Roofs/trees. If needed - Cat in a Tree Emergency Directory

  • Check home to verify the cat is lost: closets, dryer, cupboards, drawers, ceilings, crawlspaces, etc.

  • Check for accidental lock-ins: closets, garages, sheds, etc.

  • ​Lost Cat Behavior

  • Lost Cats: Do Not Set Out The Litterbox

  • Some areas have cat traps available to loan.  Check the list on our Trap Rental page which is part of our Pet Support Hub

OTHER PETS​

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​

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TIPS/ INFO GRAPHICS

We’re currently building this space for our volunteers. It’s not active just yet, but trained and approved volunteers will be invited once it’s ready. Interested in joining? Submit a volunteer application to get started!

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