When I was a child, my family adopted a German shepherd. Sheba was the perfect companion. However, if she had the opportunity, she would bolt out of any open door and take an exhilarating jaunt. Finding our dog became a neighborhood sport in which friends would help us by chasing and calling Sheba. We’re really lucky that Sheba was always found safe.
Decades later, I learned that frantically chasing a dog while shouting their name will scare them and possibly cause them to run faster. A better option is to use a high-pitch, happy, excited voice to get their attention and actually run slowly away from them or drop to the ground. This seems counterintuitive, but it lessens the dog’s perception that the human pursuer is a threat.
I once joined a group of people who were trying to catch a puppy running on a busy road. He seemed to think it was a game, as he would run toward us and then away, as if to say, “Chase me! This is fun!” We laid down on the lawn, calling the puppy excitedly, and he came over to see what all the fuss was about. We were able to talk calmly to him until we could get the leash fastened and work on finding his owner.
Finding lost pets isn’t as harrowing as it was in the ’80s. With the development of GPS technology, pet parents have a better chance of finding a pet quickly. According to PC Magazine, the Tractiv GPS device, which attaches to a collar, sends an immediate alert when your dog or cat leaves a safe zone, which you determine when you map out your property with their online tool. The Whistle Go Explore is recommended as an option for smaller pets and offers similar features. Both products require a subscription.
The Apple Air Tag and Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag 2 are more affordable options that can be attached to a pet’s collar and do not require a subscription. Unfortunately, the tags will only operate with their compatible mobile devices. If your family has both Android and Apple devices, the competitively priced Tile Mate will work with both platforms.
A GPS tracker doesn’t take the place of microchipping your pet. While technology can fail or a pet can lose a collar, a microchip will ensure that your pet always has identification. Make sure the chip is registered under the correct name, address and phone number. If your pet is caught by someone else or ends up at a shelter, the microchip can reunite you with your pet quickly.
If your pet should ever run away, immediately post a picture of them on social media and ask friends to share. Report your missing pet at your local police station and surrounding shelters. Post a picture of your pet, contact information and any significant details on Nextdoor.com and FindTobyInPa.org. The same goes for any stray pet you may encounter.
A lost pet is one of the most stressful experiences of being a pet owner, but luckily there are quicker, more efficient ways to find them now than in days past.