GUMBY

Find or take a few good pictures of the lost/found animal - try to use a recent pic that shows distinguishing features and identifying marks as well as the age, breed, gender and what the pet was wearing when you lost/found him/her. Write a clear description which includes all the relevant information (remember your picture maybe faxed elsewhere and not be in colour, so mention the animal's colouring and collars or jerseys in detail in your description. Please add the name of the pet you have lost as it may make it easier to catch him/her if she's a stray by calling him/her by a familiar name. Make sure you have you cell number on the pamphlet, poster, internet post, so that if someone in a car sees a dog meeting your description that they are unable to catch on a busy road, they can call you promptly before the dog disappears... your pet is much more likely going to jump into your car than some stranger's... Anyone rescuing a dog running down a road fears the dog will run into the road and get run over or cause an accident...

PLEASE POST YOUR PICS AND DESCRIPTIONS ON THE MISSING PETS FACEBOOK PAGE, and  if you're in Cape Town post in this CT Facebook group, also post your information to other web pages such as http://www.petslostandfound.co.za/; http://www.lostpet.co.za/ ; http://www.paws.za.net/lostnfound/default.asp; http://www.adoptapet.co.za/lost-pets and other facebook groups such as Missing Pets SA Group, PetTail, FORA, CLAW, SAINTS and Barking Mad, also e-mail the infomation and colour pics to the SPCA nspca@nspca.co.za; and Animal Anti-Cruelty League aacljhb@iafrica.com and any other rescue shelters and animal welfare organisations in your area...if your pet has been microchipped, remember to contact the relevant company (BackHome or Identipet) and make sure all your contact information is up-to-date. Place an advert in your local newspapers (many offer free classified adverts for Lost and Found Pets e.g. GumTree). Contact all the vets in your area: http://www.paws.za.net/pages/vets.htm and put up POSTERS in the neighbourhood (posting a reward helps!). Put up a big poster on your own front wall or perimeter of your property, when someone picks up a pet they often drive around the neighbourhood where they have found him/her to see if anyone is out looking for their dog or if there are any posters up. Also an idea to ask schools, churches and other community organisations to post a notice. Also tell your neighbourhood watch and local security companies. For lost or found Parrots, see http://www.parrotalert.com

For more useful information: <http://www.pawsomemoms.com/blog/ice-in-case-of-emergency-you-need-a-pawsome-mom-to-be-there-> <http://www.petfinder.com/dogs/lost-and-found-dogs/find-lost-dog/> ; <http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Lost-Dog>; <http://www.cesarsway.com/training/leadership/What-to-Do-if-Your-Dog-Goes-Missing>; <http://www.fidofinder.com/find-your-lost-dog.php>

PLEASE NOTE, many of the Animal Welfare NPO's will be listed on my Adoptions or Missing Pages. It is also worth noting that animal welfare groups and organisations are very good at networking pets that are Lost, Found or up for Adoption, so even if you get hold of an organisation like SAiNTs who do not have a shelter, they will have a good idea of who's who in the zoo and be able to point you in the right direction. By the same token, most shelters will refer you elsewhere if they do not have the pet you are looking for or if they aren't based in your area. It is also worth noting that some shelters are prepared to fly animals to other provinces (and have volunteers all over who are able to do the strict homechecks and adoption paperwork).