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Every city and town in the United States have different places to look and things to do when you've lost your dog. We hope this will give you a headstart in the process. When cats get outside and they are not used to it they often hide quite nearby and make no noise because of their fear - make sure you get down on his level and look for hiding places that would be attractive to him. Put food out and pick times of minimal traffic (early morning, late evening) to go and call to him and try to entice him out - leave something on your front porch for him to hide in, include a t-shirt or something that he will recognize your scent on in the box.Try sitting outside and reading the newspaper aloud – talk in a clam voice - do not yell or raise your voice. If you have another pet take them outside on a leash or in a carrier to entice the missing pet with their scent. Sprinkle used cat litter around your property. You will need to personally check out the main shelters in your area because they are where strays are taken and some of them only give the strays 3-5 days to be claimed - if he was not microchiped they will not know he is owned. Shelters can consist of humane societies, animal care and control facilities, ASPCA facilities, welfare leagues or anti-cruelty societies. For example, in Chicago, the three main shelters where you should immediately start your search are: Animal Care and Control - 27th and Western - 312-744-5000 Animal Welfare League - Chicago Ridge - 773-667-0088 The Anti-Cruelty Society - Grand and LaSalle - 312-644-8338 Just emailing them a picture is probably not enough as they are far too overwhelmed with animals to keep track of each request for help - your best bet is to go there and ask to be taken thru the rooms of lost kitties - not an easy thing to do but it may be how you find him. Take a picture - the best, clearest one - and create a flyer that is easy to read from far away - plaster them all over your neighborhood - give them to mail carriers and paper boys, and the UPS man. Ask everyone and anyone you see including neighborhood children to keep an eye out for him and give out your phone number - offer a reward and tell people he needs medication - be sure to include on the flyer a phone number where you can be reached at all times. Take flyers to the local vets, animal hospitals, pet stores, Petco's, Petsmarts, Pet Supplies Plus, the police department, groomers, grocery stores, community centers, traffic intersections and any shelters near you and post his flyer. Place an ad in your local newspaper. Go online and check out: www.aspca.org www.hsus.org www.bestfriends.org for more suggestions on ways to find a lost pet. Don't give up - some pets have been found after months of being lost!
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