Many animals that arrive at the shelter do have an owner but have become lost or managed to escape their home for what they think will be playtime. If you lost your pet, here are a few tips and resources we hope will help you recover your pet quickly.
Microchip and Register Your Pet
Implanting a microchip is a quick and inexpensive process. The Burbank Animal Shelter’s adoption fees include implantation of a microchip. This is a preventative step that could reunite you with your pet some day. If your pet is found, any shelter or rescue organization will first scan the animal to see if it has a microchip, and therefore, an owner. The shelter can access national registries with the owner’s information. PLEASE NOTE: In addition to implanting the microchip, you must register your animal with the microchip company and keep your contact information up-to-date.
Tips for Finding Your Lost Pet
- Go in and physically check through the animal shelters for your lost pet. Do this daily.
- File a lost report with your local animal shelter and follow up with them often since information could inadvertently be missed.
- Create a flyer to distribute in the area where your pet was lost. Distribute this flyer to animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, groomers, and other local businesses. Include a good description of your pet, a picture of your pet, date lost, and your contact information. A permit is needed to post flyers in your neighborhood. Contact the License & Code Service Division at (818) 238-5280 for information on obtaining a permit to post flyers in your neighborhood. Canvass the entire area where your pet was lost.
- Place a lost ad in your local paper.
- If your pet has a microchip, contact the microchip company immediately to advise them you have lost your pet and to confirm that they have the correct contact information for you.
- File a lost report on www.petharbor.com This website automatically sends you daily e-mail updates listing all pets found in your area that match your pet’s description.
- Remember that you must continuously search for your lost pet. Ultimately the search will only be as good as the effort you put forth, so don’t give up.
- While the animal shelter will do its best to return lost pets to their owners, ultimately it is the owner’s responsibility to check the shelter daily for their lost pet.
