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Finding your lost or missing pet |
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EVERY
WEEK, almost 6,000 cats, and dogs go missing in this country. Searching
for a lost pet can be quite traumatic. Trying
to find the phone numbers of various agencies who can help you is a hassle
that you don’t want at such a crucial time. So, be prepared. On
the attached page,
there is a list of agencies you should contact. There are
also spaces for your local numbers. Print the page out and then write them
in now, and put it in a safe place. Battersea
Dogs Home also cares for cats. It uses a special computer system to log
reports of dogs and cats lost within the M25, and tries to match them to
reports of pets found in the same area. Before
contacting them, you should be prepared with details of your pet and
yourself. One way of identifying your pet is to have it microchipped. This is very simple and painless, and can be done by your vet. It should cost between £10 and £30.
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The
number of the chip is held in a central database with your name and
address, so if the animal is found and scanned, you can be contacted. It's
a very efficient and permanent form of ID, and most animal organisations
like Anim-Mates, wardens, and vets, hold scanners to check for microchips. If
you don’t want to microchip your pet, an alternative system is Petsafe.
You have to register your dog or cat with Petsafe and put the Petsafe tag
on their collar. If someone finds your dog or cat, they can telephone the
Petsafe hotline number given on the tag. Petsafe will then contact you
with your pet's location. For more information contact them on 0870 605
0060. We all hope it will never happen to us, but the best way to set about finding a lost pet is to be prepared well before it happens. |