Every pet has a better chance of being returned home if they wear a collar and ID tag. The tag should have your family’s name, address, and telephone number on it.

Here are some things you can do to help find a missing pet:

● Contact your local animal shelter and animal control. With a parent or older friend’s help, contact all the animal shelters within 60 miles of your house.

● Go online. Visit websites like pets911.com and petfinder.com. You can post information about your lost pet there. You can also search listings

● Search the neighborhood with a parent or guardian. Make a flyer that includes a photo of your pet, where he/she was last seen, and any thing else. (Does Fido have a black furry patch over his eye? Does Mittens have white paws?) You don’t need to include everything. When someone calls to say they found your pet, you can ask them to describe the pet to you. Make photocopies and ask local stores for permission to hang them there.

● Do not give money to a person who calls saying they have your pet. Have a parent deal with all callers.

● Don’t give up! Even animals lost for months can be reunited with their care givers.