What should you do
If you've lost your cat or dog?
You’ve come to the right place. Safe Paws Pet Finder is here to help you bring your pet home as quickly as possible.
This guide walks you through the steps to take immediately after discovering your pet is missing, outlining what to do in the initial hours and the days that follow.
DON'T PANIC
Act Quickly in the first Hours
When a pet goes missing time and organisation become your strongest tools. Follow the steps outlined below to focus your search.
the first 2 hours matter most
Animals enter survival mode quickly after becoming lost
start close to home
Most dogs and cats will remain within their last known area
activate alerts immediately
Smart ID Tag, microchip and community alerts increase recovery chances
The first 4 hours
- Mark your pet missing on thier Safe Paws Pet Finder Profile
- If you don't have a tag and subscription yet, order your Smart ID Tag at our shop (OPENING SOON)
- Download and print your Pet Finder Missing Poster
- Search the immediate area while calling your pet's name
- Look under cars, in bushes or wooded areas, and other likely hiding places
- Check with neighbours and local business owners to see if they have CCTV or Ring cam footage of the area
- Contact your veterinarian and microchip company to report your pet missing
Understanding Lost Pet Behaviour
Dogs and cats can enter survival mode quickly when they’re afraid
This may cause them to:
- Hide Silently
- Avoid People
- Travel between food and shelter
- Return to their last known location
DO NOT CHASE YOUR DOG
Stay calm, offer treats, and allow them to approach
The first 24 hours
- Expand your search beyond the immediate area
- Print missing posters and put them in your neighbourhood and surrounding areas
- Share your online poster to social media and community groups like our sister site: Lost and Stolen Dogs Jamiaica
- Ask your friends, neighbours and local businesses to display your poster and share on their socials
- Check nearby water hazards such as ponds, drains or private pools. Ask your neighbours to check their pools as well. Small dogs are particularly at risk from drowning
Additional
Search Tips
SCENT ITEMS
Leave familiar items outside like your pet’s toys or your unwashed clothes
SEARCH TECHNIQUES
Search early in the morning and late when it’s quiet. Call gently and shake a bowl of food or bag of treats
DRONE SEARCHES
Locate nearby drone service providers to scan large areas for your missing pet
IF YOU THINK YOUR DOG HAS BEEN STOLEN
- Complete the steps above
- File a missing pet report and leave a missing poster at your local police station
- Share details with police and local business people
Don't wait until it's too late
Safeguard your pets with QR Coded Smart ID Tags from Safe Pet Finder
Don't wait until it's too late
Safeguard your pets with QR Code Enabled Smart ID Tags from Safe Paws Pet Finder
With one simple scan, anyone who finds your pet can immediately contact you, and share the location in real time
Improved pet safety and peace of mind for the whole family.
