It is every pet owner’s fear that their dog or cat will vanish from their sight, yet it happens every day. A dog escapes through an open gate, an adventurous cat scurries out the front door, a scared dog wriggles out of his collar while being walked and runs off…there are so many ways this fear can become a reality.
If this nightmare does happen to you, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to locate your lost pet. If you act on them right away, your chances of reuniting with your lost pet are greatly improved.
- Contact the Aiken County Animal Shelter at (803) 642-1537. Be prepared to provide the following information:
– Your name and telephone number
– Where the pet went missing / was found (cross streets & city)
– The date your pet went missing
– Name, sex, age, size, color(s) and distinguishing marks
– If your pet has a collar, state the color
– Mention if your lost animal has a microchip - Post your lost pet on your social media as well as the Aiken Pets Reunited Facebook page. Be sure to include the same information you provided to the shelter and a high-quality photo or two of your pet.
- Visit the County Animal Shelter (and other local animal shelters and rescue groups) to see if your pet is there… and keep checking. It may take a few days or even weeks before your animal is turned in.
- Put flyers up in front of your house and throughout your neighborhood. Many people drive around looking for the owner of an animal they’ve found. A large yard sign will help them locate you. Email or hand deliver flyers to your local shelters and rescues.
- Check with local workers. Be sure to alert your local postal workers, delivery drivers, bus drivers and garbage collectors. They are in the neighborhood daily and may spot your pet.
Microchip your pet for peace of mind
A tiny microchip could be the difference between losing your pet forever or getting them back home safe and sound. It is so essential, in fact, that FOTAS and the County Shelter are sponsoring a Free Aiken County Pet Microchipping Event on Saturday, Oct. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. If you live in Aiken County, you can bring your dog or cat to the County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road and get them microchipped for free (normal fee is $25 at the shelter). Dogs just need to be leashed and cats must be secure in carriers.
The chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is a permanent form of ID, registered to a recovery database that holds pet and owner information. It can be read by a scanner when the pet is found and brought to a shelter, rescue or veterinarian. The chip is inserted between the shoulder blades, and your pet won’t feel a thing. We will even register your information, give you an ID tag and take care of the paperwork. All you have to do is show up with your pet and their proof of rabies vaccination.
For more information about the Oct. 14 Free Aiken County Pet Microchipping Event, please call (803) 642-1537, option 3 or email info@FotasAiken.org.
Their lives are in our hands.
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director
