Four Ways to Make it Easier to Find a Lost Pet

I don’t know about your pets but my dog, Chichi, is a little explorer. He loves to find a hole in a fence, a gap in between poles, anything he can squeeze through—and at less than 5 pounds he can squeeze through a lot. Whenever I take him to a friend’s house or vacation rental, he careful surveys the yard. At first, he’s casual about it like he’s just trying to find a spot to pee. Then as I settle in, he expands his exploration to the perimeter. If I look away for too long, and he’ll find his way out.

Luckily he always comes back. I like to say he takes himself for walks, but after a recent scare, I decided I wanted to take more precautions than Chichi-proofing every yard. So I looked into my options and discovered that we have many solutions for finding a lost pet.

1. Microchipping — Chips are a glass Radio Frequency Identifier about the size of a grain of rice inserted by a slightly larger than normal needle. On average, they cost about $45 to have implanted by a vet.

• Pros: It’s the most secure and affordable tracking option. They can be scanned by vets or shelters, so if your pet is found by a friendly stranger or picked up and sent off to a shelter, they will be scanned and quickly identified as your pet. What’s great is since they are implanted inside of your pet they won’t come off like a collar, and a thief can’t remove them like some of the other options listed. These microchips are also compatible with all sorts of home accessories, such as a doggie door that only opens when it scans your pet’s chip!
• Cons: While the chips allow your pet to be scanned for identification they don’t provide GPS tracking of your pet. This means you’ll have to rely on your pet ending up somewhere it can be scanned. There are some rare medical risks, mainly associated with implantation in the wrong location—something a licensed vet would not do.  Other risks include the chip moving, and in one fatal case, bleeding from the insertion site.

With universal scanners most facilities will be able to scan any RFI frequency, however for outside the US an AKC Reunite RFI is recommended.

2. GPS Tags — There are many different brands to choose from with a range of services provided, the primary function being the GPS tracking of your pet through a tag attached to their collar.

• Pros: They track your pet in real time; showing you where your pet is the moment you think they’re lost. Depending on which one you get, you can even set up text and email alerts for the moment your pet leaves their designated “safe space.” Some don’t even need cell service so you can count on the GPS tracking even in remote areas or camping grounds. A lot of the GPS trackers actually work like a Fitbit for your pet, monitoring their daily steps, and goals for your pet to achieve.
• Cons: If your pet is good at removing their collar you might have trouble keeping your pet and their tracker together. Even if they don’t take of their own collar, a thief would likely remove the collar as well. Some of these devices have monthly charges for the GPS services, and the cost is usually upwards of $75.

Findster Duo, Whistle 3, and the very basic PawScout are a few options for GPS tags worth checking out.

3. Neighborhood Networking Services — Apps and websites that connect you to your neighbors, some with as tight of range as 1,000 feet. They all have the option of making posts to your neighbors, thereby allowing you to alert them to your lost pet.

• Pros: You can get the word out to your neighbors quickly about your lost pet. Word of mouth doesn’t have to be your only option, with a quick post and photo, all of your neighbors will be alerted to be on the lookout for your lost loved one. The most significant benefit is someone might have already posted about the lost pet they found!
• Cons: While you may enjoy the updates about dangerous roamers in your neighborhood, there will be a lot of posts about things other than pets. If your pet isn’t found by one of your neighbors, they won’t be able to help.

Nextdoor, Just My Neighbor, and Chummy can all help you network to find your lost pet.

4. Good Old Fashioned Tags — They go on the collar with your pet’s name and your contact information on them. Mine has three phone numbers…!

• Pros:They identify your pet quickly by anyone who’s picked them up. They have your contact information so your pet can quickly be returned to you.
• Cons: A lot of pets are skilled in the removal of their collars, even those that aren’t may squeeze through a bush or fence that hooks the collar removing it. Worst yet, a thief would likely immediately remove your pet’s tags and/or collar.

Has your pet ever gone for an unaccompanied adventure? How did you find him or her? Leave a comment and let us know!