While we all hope our pets will always be with us, sometimes it’s out of our control and as panic sets in quickly, it’s worth knowing in advance what to do and who to contact if your pet is lost or stolen.
To help you understand, PDSA has shared some advice for pet owners who find themselves in these unfortunate situations.
PDSA Vet Nurse, Shauna Walsh, said: “Pets are a huge part of our lives and knowing what to do should you lose your pet, and the best steps to take to reunite your family, is really important.”
What to do if your pet gets lost
The vet nurse shared some advice you can use in the event of losing your pet.
First of all, you should “check potential hiding places around your house.”
Shauna explains: “If your pet seems to have gone missing from your home, be sure to check they aren’t hidden or stuck somewhere indoors.
“Cats like to be high up, so be sure to also check spots you wouldn’t think they could reach. Small pets can also squeeze into very tight, small spaces.”
Shauna added: “If you know your pet has escaped from your home or garden, check the local area and ask passers-by in case they’ve seen your pet take off. It is best to take some high reward treats with you and show images of your pet to anyone who passes for easy identification in case they have seen them.
“Ask your neighbours to also check their garden, garage, shed and any outbuildings where your pet could be hiding.
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“Call your pet’s microchip database to inform them your pet is missing, and make sure your details, such as your phone number, home address and email address, are up to date. This will be vital in reuniting you quickly if your pet is found by someone else.
“Notify your local dog warden if you’ve lost your dog. Call local vets and rescue centres, and share your contact details so they can get in touch should your pet be brought into their care.”
She continued: “You can also utilise missing pet websites and social media. Lots of sites and groups online are dedicated to posting missing pet details. This can be handy for widespread sharing or sharing with local area groups.”
What to do if your pet is stolen
“If you think your pet may have been stolen, we’d always recommend following the same steps as if your pet was lost, but it’s important to also notify the police.
“As of August 2024, new legislation making cat and dog theft a criminal offence, the ‘Pet Abduction Bill’ came into force in England and Northern Ireland,” Shauna explained.
You can find more information about missing pets and what to do on the PDSA website.
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Do dogs and cats have to be microchipped?
In 2016, it became compulsory to have dogs microchipped with the Government website saying: “Not only will this mean the UK’s 8.5 million dogs can be returned to their owners more quickly if they wander too far from home, but it will also make it easier to track down the owners of dogs that carry out attacks on people.”
In England, cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks.
The rules came into force on June 10, 2024 and owners found not to have microchipped their pet will face consequences.
Cat owners can now face a fine of up to £500 if their pet isn’t microchipped.
