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All Is Not Lost

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 23, 2008

LOST PET PRECAUTIONS
•Make sure your dog or cat is wearing a well-fitting collar and ID tag with your name, address and telephone number. Consider additional information such as a cell phone number or e-mail address.

•Consider having your pet microchipped for permanent identification. The chip should be in addition to your pet wearing a collar and tag, not a substitution.

•Spaying or neutering your pet will reduce their tendency to roam.

•Keep pets indoors when you are not at home or be sure your yard is secure so that pets cannot escape or be stolen.

•Take current photos of your pet each year and write down your pet's license number and keep it in a safe place.

•Clip and save this information about local shelters and other steps to take in case your pet is lost.

SEARCHING FOR A LOST PET

•Immediately file a lost pet report with animal shelters and or animal control agencies within a 50-mile radius. Visit local shelters in person, when possible.

•Immediately post "lost pet" signs in your neighborhood with your pet's photo and your contact information, including cell numbers. Consider offering a reward, and state that on the signs if you intend to do so.

•Check with neighbors and service people in your neighborhood. Carry your pet's photo and ask whether they have seen him/her. Provide them with your contact information, should they locate your pet.

•Check neighbors' garages, sheds, under porches and cars (ask permission first, of course).

•Place a "lost pet" ad in your local newspaper and on pet Web sites such as www.pets911.com or www.fidofinder.com.

•Leave out one distinguishable feature of your pet on the signs so that you can ask about that characteristic if someone claims to have found your pet.

•Be persistent. Occasionally pets are reunited months after their disappearance.

Contact any of these Bay area animal shelters to file a "lost or found pet report" or for additional lost/found pet information:

Hillsborough County Animal Services: (813) 744-5660, www .hillsboroughcounty.org/animal services/

Humane Society of Pinellas: (727) 797-7722, www.humane societyofpinellas.org

Humane Society of Tampa Bay: (813) 876-7138, www.humane societytampa.org

Pinellas County Animal Services: (727) 582-2600, www.pinellas county.org/animalservices

Polk County SPCA: (863) 646-7722, www.lovemyspca.com

SPCA Tampa Bay: (727) 586-3591, www.spcatampabay.org

SPCA of West Pasco: (727) 849-1048, www.spcasuncoast.org

FOUND A PET?

•Post "found pet" signs in the neighborhood, at local grocery stores, community centers and veterinary offices.

•Call or e-mail animal shelters within a 50-mile radius to file a found pet report.

•Check the classified section in the newspaper for lost pet ads.

•Place a "found pet" ad in the local paper. Most daily papers, including the Tribune, will run them no charge for four days.

Kristen Levine

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