Lost and Found Pets

We are coming up on that time of year where the weather gets warmer, and pets want to be outside after dealing with cabin fever all winter long. Here are some tips to help keep your pets from taking off, getting lost, and in case that happens, getting them back home.

Please make sure your pets are being monitored while outdoors. Having a fenced in yard is a great way to ensure they are contained. If you don't have a fence, being leashed or on a tie out should do the trick.

Make sure your pets have proper identification on their collars. NYS requires rabies vaccinations be administered to all canines, felines, and ferrets. If your pets happen to be picked up or brought to your local animal shelter, a current rabies vaccination certificate is required to properly claim them back. All dogs must also be licensed within the municipality in which you reside in. This can be done by taking your current rabies certificate to your town hall where they will issue the dog license.

Another wonderful form of identification is the microchip. This is a quick and simple implant that can be done by any veterinarian and is only a one-time fee. The microchip is one of the most effective ways of getting lost pets returned home. These of course need to be registered properly in order for them to work effectively. Any of this information can be added and updated on the microchip company's website or phone number. Most animal shelters, and veterinarian offices have microchip scanners, and this is one of the first things they look for upon a new animal intake.los

As always, if your pet becomes lost, please reach out to your local shelters, veterinarians, and local social media pages to get the word out there. Most shelters can put up a courtesy on their social media pages in order to spread the word. Our shelter has had tremendous luck with these courtesy posts in getting lost pets home.