Posters! Posters! Posters!
Make the posters as visible as possible (black, white and red show or fluorescent paper show up very well.) At first, begin closest to the center of the last known location of the pet, and work outward, targeting a two mile radius of the area for dogs, and a 4-5 block radius for cats. Dogs tend to circle back to the area -cats tend to stary close to home. If necessary, then expand the poster area outward. If possible, work in teams of two people, one to drive and the other to post the flyers. If possible, go door -to-door with the posters. Use repetition, posting a series of signs to arouse peoples curiosity. When approaching a traffic light, place the posters on the 4-5 telephone polls leading up to the traffic light. Use a map of your area to mark the location of where the posters were placed to avoid unnecessarily doubling back on the area. Include a picture of your pet: (this is important) if you do not have a picture, use a drawing or a picture from a book, magazine or pet food box. Include a brief description: give size in weight, rather than small, medium or large, and provide familiar landmarks near which your pet was lost, along with cross streets.

There are many community bulletin boards, e.g. pizza places, churches, barber/beauty shops, community and senior centers,florists,gas stations, pet stores, video rental stores, laundromats, ambulance companies, groomers, pharmacies, pet shops, dental and medical offices, taxicab companies, and veterinarians. Place the flyers anywhere where anyone has a moment to notice what in posted on the wall. e.g., when someone is waiting for their change, laundry, or for service. Remember to send flyers to all veterinarians and shelters within a 30 mile radius of where the pet was lost. You want to make it easy for someone if they do find your pet, to find you.

If possible, use free standing signs made of white cardboard- (24" x 24") Contact a sign shop, (e.g., Judy's Signs in Cheektowaga 565-3440 ) for supplies.

Check with local police departments concerning posting flyers on town/city property. Please do not post on trees or place the posters in mailboxes.

Place articles with a strong scent of either yourself or the pet outdoors.
We suggest the cat's litter box, bedding or clothing that you have been exercising or cooking in. Change the article every few days to maintain a fresh scent. The best time to put out or change an article is before or after the rain. If your pet has been sighted in an area, go to that location and leave something there with your scent on it, along with a flyer. Only put out a small amount of food, (you want the cat to remain hungry so they will come back to where the food is) Please remember to also put out water. You may also try putting out catnip. Try to attract the pet back to your home, and make it easy for the pet to gain entry into the house.

Talk to people in the neighborhood.
The postman, paperboy,garbage men,people walking their dogs, delivery people, children, community volunteers,(e.g., meals on wheals), dads/moms waiting for their children to get on the school bus, and school crossing guards. Let people know you are looking for a lost pet and inquire who in the neighborhood feeds stray animals. Contact Neighborhood Watch groups or home owners associations.(block clubs) If you are looking for the block club in your neighborhood, please call 855-6500. Ask people, "Will you help me find my pet." and try to place the flyers in their hands. Your audience is everyone.

Place advertisements in the city and local paper.
Consider a Spanish newspaper if living in a mixed community. Metro-Community News and the Penny saver will (for a fee) insert flyers into their publications.

Stay in one area, shake a box of food:
If you are going to walk around the neighborhood, check storage sheds, garages, and restaurant dumpsters. Also walk around on trash night. Please remember to bring a strong flashlight. We find the early morning hours are the best time to look for a pet,(cats are nocturnal.) The streets are quiet and your voice will carry farther. With lost dogs, start searching the area going into the wind. Most dogs will search out food or a mate. The may be trying to pick up the scent of the owner, or to track the owner back to their home. Missing cats that are strictly indoor pets have a tendency to hide in closed in areas, e.g., under porches, under decks, crawl spaces, window wells, and small storage sheds. They have a tendency to be close to home but can hide very well. Consider renting a cat trap from a feed store, (e.g., Clydes in Hamburg, or Theils in North Tonwanda ) or from your town to help with the return of these pets.

Check all the veterinarians within a 30 mile radius and the veterinarians emergency rooms.
Sometimes people will take a stray pet to the veterinarin before allowing this pet to have contact with their other pets. The emergency rooms are usually open 6 p.m. till 7 a.m. Orchard Park, Amherst, and Grand Island all have emergency rooms.

Go to look at any animal that the description may resemble yours.
Your description of your pet may not match theirs.

Please continue to check the FOUND ads in the newspaper. Depending on the newspaper, these found ads will only be printed for 2 days. The Metro-Community News will print the FOUND DOG/CAT ads for two weeks. Check them on a daily basis.
It is not unusual for the cats to be found after 5-6 weeks...I know it seems like forever but don't give up.
And...we believe your furry friend is less likely to wander if they are spayed or neutered...

When your pet is returned
Remove all (yes all) of the posters, and notify the shelters that your pet have been returned.


Take your pet for a vet-check.
Examine for fleas, ticks, lice, intestinal worms,(heartworms,roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms) (yech),discharge from eyes or the nose, and distress from eating or drinking questionable food or water.

Consider having a mircochip inserted. A small mircochip is permanently placed between the shoulder blades of your pet and is coded with a I.D. number.