Do It Now If You Are Separated From Your Pet After a Natural Disaster
It is very nerve-wracking to imagine any scenario in which you and your family are affected by a natural disaster, so you should always be prepared . Preparation can help reduce your anxiety now and make any emergency more bearable if it ever occurs. While you are planning what you and your family can do to stay safe, you should also keep your pets in mind.
You already know that you’ll need to check local shelters and post announcements if you’re separated from your pet, but here are some more specific and easy ways to increase the chance of you reuniting.
Take a photo of your pet
You probably already have a bunch of photos of your dog or cat on your phone. This is good, as it will help you spread the image of the pet, allow people to recognize the animal if they encounter it, and prove that you are the rightful owner. Make sure, however, that you don’t just have photos of them looking goofy or cute. According to the Better Business Bureau , photos of your pets must be:
- clean
- Recent
- From different sides
In fact, this advice is widely recommended. The Animal League specifically calls for this, and a recent partnership between Anheuser-Busch, American Humane, and the Red Cross will even cover the cost of having you get a physical photo of you and your pet sent to your home so you can keep it. with you. Keep this in mind: Not only should photos of your pet be on your phone and online, but you should also try to keep them physically with you. Even if there is poor cell service or you lose the ability to use your phone, you can show a physical image to people you meet at shelters or in the area, increasing the likelihood of a reunion if and when someone recognizes your animal.
Keep identifying information available (for you and your pet)
If your pet does not have a microchip, install one. If it’s already there, make sure it’s up to date. While microchipping is a smart and modern approach to finding your pet in the event of a separation, old school methods are also useful. The BBB recommends that your pet wear an all-weather collar that has your name, address, and phone number on it. If your pet has allergies or special needs, consider adding a separate tag for those on the collar.
Your pet should always carry your information, but you should also always have their information handy. On your phone and on the back of the physical photo, make notes about the specific colors, markings, and traits your pet has. It will be easier to refer to the note than to try and think of these things when you panic.
Post ads in physical and public places, as well as online in groups in the neighborhood, and be sure to include the latest photos and identifying information you have collected here.
Avoid Pet Reunion Scams
In times of crisis, scammers seem to come out of the house to prey on the vulnerable. Don’t let this happen to you. Here’s what the BBB says: “Once you place an ad on the Internet, anyone, including scammers, will have access to it. Fraudsters have been known to attack those who are in a vulnerable position and may miss important details because of this. If someone contacts you claiming you have your pet, ask them questions that the Lost Pet ad won’t answer. Questions such as “What color are her eyes?” or “How many tokens does he have on his collar?” can help confirm that the person contacting you actually has your pet.”
Be especially wary of anyone who asks you to send them money up front before they return your pet to you or prove they actually have one.