The success of finding any lost pet often rests on the honesty and goodwill of people who find them. Luckily, in our wonderful country of New Zealand most people are good people and they want to help reunite pets. They operate on the value of “do unto others as you would have done unto you”, taking all efforts immediately to find the owner of a lost pet. Also shelters like SPCAs and pounds operate under a seven day hold before a pet can be re-homed if unclaimed (overseas this can be as little as 48 hours).

The emphasis always needs to be on finding the owner, rather than keeping or re-homing the pet.

Our pets are like furry (or feathered) members of our family aren’t they. Pets can be a treasured child’s companion, a first “child” for a young single or couple, or an elderly person’s precious day by day company. Their loss causes intense pain which can remain unresolved forever.

We can all do our bit by helping lost pets find home again by;

• Assuming the found pet is owned and lost, not in need of a new home
• Listing the found pet even if you just see a pet which MIGHT be lost, please report it
• Upload a photo from your phone to online lost pet sites
• Have the pet scanned for a microchip at a vet for free
• Place a found pet flier on your front fence
• Drop fliers in your street and ask neighbours
• Don’t give up. Please don’t re-home or adopt the pet too quickly. Give the owners reasonable time, they may be away on holiday, or they may be elderly and not use the internet.

Please do all you can in your power to help find the people of any lost pet. Success will bring happiness back to both their lives – just like our picture. What goes around, comes around ????

(photo caption) “The Faces of Happiness”. The moment a woman and her dog were reunited at the SPCA via Petsonthenet.
Copyright: Kim Buchanen.