WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET GOES MISSING

Dedicated Animal Control Services D.A.C.S. 

715-377-5141

 https://www.facebook.com/D.A.C.S.Wisconsin

or send an email to: dedicatedanimalcontrolservices@gmail.com

File a lost pet report with the local Animal Control (above is a form to submit to D.A.C.S.), Shelters, Veterinarians, and Police/Sheriffs Dept. within a 15 mile radius of  where your pet was lost. D.A.C.S. will get a post for your pet up on Social Media immediately with a description and photo.

If your pet is microchipped, contact your microchip company. This will set an alert and flag them as lost. 

Walk or drive around the area, alerting anyone nearby. Give passerby's a description and ask them to keep a look out. 

Depending on your pets personality, a different approach might have to be taken. For example, a confident, outgoing pet may greet new friends along the way and be easily caught, while a shy timid, or easily scared pet might be more likely to hide or stay clear of other people and animals. 

If your pet is shy, timid, or scared, D.A.C.S. has a large humane trap that can be set up in the area. This works best for those hard to catch dogs and will need to be set up ASAP before anyone chases the dog out of the area. If this is the case, DO NOT CHASE YOUR PET. Sit down and watch from a distance, calmly talking to your pet in a soft voice. Let others in the area know that their help is appreciated, but not needed so the pet isn't spooked.

Most indoor cats will spook easily when outdoors and often find a place to hide close to home, usually up to three houses away. Indoor-outdoor cats are a little more adventurous and will travel several blocks. Make sure to check under vehicles, decks, bushes, sheds, etc. Ask neighbors to check their property or get their permission to check yourself. A live trap may be needed for cats who are too scared to approach people.

Place an article of clothing or a blanket that has not been washed outside near your door. Also use a good smelling dog or cat safe food. Liquid smoke (a steak marinade) works well to sprinkle around the property. When looking for your lost cat, putting a used litterbox outside is also helpful.

After the sun starts to go down, sit outside and call your pet. Pets will often start moving at dusk when less traffic and people are around. With you staying in one place and calling for your pet, it will give them a direction to go towards.

 Post on Facebook and in local community groups like Nextdoor App. Find local community groups on Facebook and make a post. Post on your own personal Facebook page so friends can share. Make sure to make the post public for easy sharing. 

Make colorful flyers with a photo and post them in gas stations, grocery stores, banks, light poles, dog parks, even yard signs placed at the corner of streets and roads. 

Include your pet's name, breed, color, age, sex, collar description, and any specific markings your pet may have. 

BE AWARE OF SCAMS!

We do not recommend offering a reward when posting your pet is lost. Someone may claim they have your pet  after seeing your post or flyer and contact you asking for the reward before they return the pet. They may also have your address and other personal information from your flyer. This is also why D.A.C.S. will not give out an owners phone number on lost pet posts.

People claiming to be physic may also try to scam money from you. They usually approach you stating that they know where your pet is and will help you for a fee. 

Have your pet wear a collar with an up to date ID tag, including your pet's name and a phone number where you can be reached. 

Have your pet microchipped. This can be done at your local Vet Clinic or D.A.C.S. offers a low cost HomeAgain microchip to be inserted under your pets skin. Our officers carry a microchip scanner to ensure pets get home and reunited with their owners, avoiding impound. Make sure that the microchip company has an up to date record of your address and phone number.