Pet care
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Get your pet microchipped and keep the contact information updated with the registry company when you move or change phone numbers.
It serves you better than a tag; shelters and pet stores can scan the chip to find your information.
- Outdated chips may only show shelter information.
3 people, independently
Take frequent photos and videos of your pets while they are alive.
Many people regret not having enough images after their pet passes away; others find comfort in seeing the pet's normal behavior later.
- Some people find looking at pictures or videos too painful immediately after a loss.
3 people, independently
Use free poop bags provided at dog park stations instead of buying them.
It is a free option.
- Not every park has these stations.
one person who lived it
Keep more than one photo of common or expensive dog breeds to prove ownership if they are found.
A single picture might be suspected as being taken from the internet rather than proving true ownership.
one person who lived it
Take clear, current, full-body photographs of your adult pets for use in missing posters.
Pets often look different as adults than they did as puppies or kittens, and cute shots may not be usable for identification.
3 people, independently
- Update missing pet posters regularly with current photos to reflect changes in the animal's appearance.1
posters, missing, lost, dog34
Take a photo of missing pet posters when you see them.
Do not put your pet's name on its ID tag.
Strangers can use the pet's name to gain cooperation during theft.
one person who lived it
Switch older pets from plastic clip collars to buckle collars to prevent loss.
Plastic clips tend to wear out and fall off as they age.
one person who lived it
Make paw prints using clay, paint, or ink while your pet is alive to preserve a physical memory.
You'll be glad you have them!
one person who lived it
Keep dogs on a leash or in secure areas to prevent wandering.
Off-leash dogs risk getting into neighbors' trash, being hit by cars, or fighting with other dogs.
one person who lived it
26 more on this
Keep lost pet flyers inside if local predators might scare the pet from returning.
Predators seeing the flyer could deter the pet from coming back or cause harm.
one person who lived it
Put 'I am lost' on indoor cats' ID tags.
It encourages callers instead of assumptions that the cat is just prowling outside.
one person who lived it
- Put 'INDOOR ONLY' on indoor pets' ID tags.1
Give missing pet posters to garbage collectors.
They travel routes and have found lost pets before.
one person who lived it
- Give missing pet posters to local pizza delivery drivers.1
If your pet has long hair, keep photos of them in un-groomed or dirty states to aid identification if they are found unkempt.
A pet that is lost for a while may look unrecognizable compared to groomed photos.
2 people, independently
Remove missing pet posters as soon as the pet is found.
It signals to neighbors that the animal is safe and prevents confusion.
2 people, independently
Take a well-groomed found dog to nearby grooming shops for identification.
Groomers may recognize the dog and help reunite it with its owner.
one person who lived it
Take a photo of missing pet posters when you see them.
You will have the owner's contact information readily available if you spot a matching animal later.
9 people, independently
- Check local online lost pet groups or Facebook pages to identify found animals.1
Include your phone number on keychain ID tags but omit your home address.
Listing an address allows thieves to identify exactly which place to rob.
one person who lived it
Include both home and mobile phone numbers on pet tags in case one line is unavailable.
Just in case one's out of operation.
one person who lived it
Film your pets' distinctive actions and traits to capture lively memories of their character.
Having footage of them moving, barking, or meowing preserves their personality, not just their appearance.
3 people, independently
Clip a novelty tennis ball attachment onto your phone to make your dog stare at the camera.
The dog will focus on the ball attached to the device.
one person who lived it
Microchip your pet and pay for lifetime registration.
This ensures the registration does not expire.
one person who lived it
Avoid using generic Google image search results for lost pet posters.
There is a risk that another animal will be mistaken for yours, causing confusion.
one person who lived it
Write the microchip number on missing posters so authorities can verify ownership when the pet is scanned at a vet.
Vets check chips upon intake, which can lead to recovery even weeks later.
one person who lived it
Use high-quality, detailed close-up photos of your pet's face on lost posters to help shelter staff or vets recognize specific people.
A vet at a pound recognized a dog because the blown-up face from a high-quality original photo was nicely detailed.
one person who lived it
- Keep a high-quality photo of your pet showing their full body and face to use for identification if they go missing.1
Leave an item with your scent at the last place the dog was spotted to help guide it back.
one person who lived it
Register your Build-A-Bear stuffed animals so they can be returned to the company if found.
The bears are registered, allowing the company to locate the owner and send the toy home.
one person who lived it
Give missing pet posters to local utility companies.
Their employees cover every address and access areas mailmen do not, such as backyards and basements.
one person who lived it
Test pet tracking device batteries regularly to ensure they have not died before an emergency occurs.
It is difficult to realize the battery is dead only after the pet has already escaped.
one person who lived it
Omit photos and specific details when advertising a found lost dog.
Withholding details allows you to quiz potential owners to verify their honesty and identity.
2 people, independently
Attach a pet ID tag with contact information and a reward offer to a child's favorite stuffed animal before traveling.
This may determine whether a lost item is returned via mail or discarded in the trash.
one person who lived it
On missing pet posters, state that the animal has a chronic, non-infectious condition requiring expensive medication.
This generates sympathy and deters theft by making the animal less valuable to stealers or dog fighters.
one person who lived it
Check if a found dog has been neutered or spayed to aid in identification.
Neutering status can be verified against databases to help confirm ownership.
one person who lived it
Microchip your pet to aid in recovery, as many animals look alike and visual identification may be insufficient.
Many animals, especially cats, look exactly alike.
one person who lived it
Keep copies of your pet's microchip documentation sealed in waterproof pouches within multiple emergency kits.
Treat these documents like your own personal identifying documents.
one person who lived it
Ensure your pet is microchipped, as shelters routinely scan found animals to identify owners.
one person who lived it
Place a sign next to left-out items to discourage strangers from stealing or tampering with them.
It may reduce the likelihood that people will act maliciously.
one person who lived it
Put cheap plastic tablecloths under comforters.
One person found this protects the bed from pet accidents, specifically from a cat with bladder issues.
one person who lived it
Rotate stuffed animals secretly so they all develop the comforting smell of the child.
Items slept with for months develop a comforting smell on their own.
one person who lived it
Buy duplicate copies of a child's favorite stuffed animal for use during travel and sleepovers.
Using duplicates helps ensure the original survives childhood and reduces risks from lice or bed bugs.
one person who lived it