lost and found

TAKE THESE SIMPLE STEPS

All pet owners fear the possibility of a lost pet. Pets may be lost for a variety of reasons including running away from home, running in a strange place if frightened, or theft. Some steps you can take to increase the likelihood of getting your pet back include:

   - Get an identification tag for your pet. This can be the single-most important item that will help you and your pet get reunited.

   - Act immediately. Do not wait for several days hoping your pet will come home.

Accidents can happen to even the very best of pet owners. In some cases, however, the heartbreak of losing a pet could have been prevented. No pet owner expects to lose their pet or have it stolen. Take these steps to help safeguard your pet:

- Make sure your yard is securely fenced. Dogs can squeeze through small gaps under the fencing so be sure to patch any that you find. Regularly check your fence for new holes, gaps, or rotten boards and fix them right away.

Pet owners are distraught and vulnerable when a beloved pet goes missing. Unfortunately, there are some insidious scams meant to defraud heartbroken pet owners. By checking 'lost pet' ads, these unscrupulous people find their next victim. Here are some of the more common scams, followed by tips on how you can help your pet stay safe.

The Pay-Me-First Scam:

      A pet owner receives a phone call from a person who claims that They have the lost pet. This person asks that the reward money be sent to them first before they return the pet.