If you have lost or found a pet there are a number of things you need to do. There are a few websites
that have good information that may help you. To visit them go to:
or
or
or
or
We recommend that you at least:
1. Call your veterinarian's office to let them know the pet is lost. It would be best if you called all the veterinarian
offices in the area.
2. If the pet is microchipped call the company the chip is registered with. If you don't have your pet microchipped
-- please do so. If you live in the Billings area we can help you with that. Just give us a call
at (406) 248-8063 for more information on microchipping.
3. Place a lost (or found) ad in the newspapers in your area (including surrounding
areas). Call them as soon as possible because sometimes it may be a few days before it will be posted. The longer it is before
you get the information out the less likely you are to find your pet. Most newspapers will provide this service for free.
Make sure you list phone numbers where you can be reached at all times. Providing a reward if pet is returned will increase
the chances of the pet being returned.
4. Contact your local animal control. Keep in mind that in many areas there is a seperate animal control division for
city and county.
In the Billings, MT area you need to
contact both the
City Shelter
and
the Yellowstone
County Animal Control. The B.A.S is listed at:
http://ci.billings.mt.us/Shelter/index.php . Be sure you scroll to the right if you don't see the list stating: Adoptable cats, dogs, others and Stray cats, dogs,
and others. They are there and they do update their site regularly. To my knowledge (and the knowledge of others in this
rescue) the Yellowstone County Animal Control doesn't have a website they post the animals on. However, it is very important
for you to call them
ASAP because
the time they can keep an animal before the animal is
turned over to a rescue or euthanized
is VERY limited -- usually only two days. County animal
control can be reached at: 256-2958 or 256-2929. Please also give us a call (248-8063) if you are in the Billings,
MT area and have lost or found a pet. We will do what we can to get a pet back to it's family.
5. Check with area rescues to see if anyone has turned your pet into them or called and left their information for
you to contact to find your pet.
You can find most rescues listed at www.petfinder.com .
6. Make posters -- include a picture if possible. Post them in your neighborhood and see if the
shelters/rescues/veterinarians will post them as well. It is important to ask your neighbors (speak with the adults in
a household) to check their garages, sheds, and other buildings. Your pet may be hiding and pets don't always pick
the safest places to hide.
******DON'T give up....it may take some time to find you pet....they aren't always found right away. Hopefully
you do find them though. Rememer to keep your pet up to date on vaccinations, make sure it is wearing a collar with break
away latches (to lessen the possibility of getting stuck on something and hanging to death) with tags attached. Is your pet
spayed or neutered? Spayed and neutered pets don't have the natural instinct to breed, therefore are less likely to roam.
In addition, they will live happier, healthier lives and will make MUCH better pets. Have your pet microchipped and keep the
registration of that chip current. Keep city and county licences (where available) up to date and that tag attached to the
collar. Make sure your pet is well socialized and well behaved. Be sure you pet always has fresh food and water...and your
attention. A happy, well behaved, well socialized pet is less likely to run away and if he/she does go missing, if they are
well socialized and wearing ID you have a better chance of getting them home safely.******
~Heather Cunning
President, Hope Haven Animal Rescue
Billings, MT
(406) 248-8063
