What to do if your pet is missing
Some tips from our local SPCA for finding a lost pet or what to do when you come across a stray animal.
Not knowing where your pet is can be a nerve-wracking experience for any pet owner.
Rene van Straten, trainee inspector at the Randwest SPCA spoke to the Herald about what to do if your pet/ animal goes missing.
She said one of the first steps is to visit your nearest SPCA, animal welfare organisations and shelters, and vet.
“When you report your pet missing, make sure to leave your details so that they can contact you. Give them as much information as possible and be as descriptive as you can. Also, place adverts with a photo and description on social media such as Facebook, at shopping centres and organisations, and go as far as asking your neighbours and community members to be on the lookout,” she suggested.
When asked why pets go missing, she explained, “Mainly because of accidents/ human error. Homeowners, domestic staff and visitors often forget to close gates. Sometimes pets manage to escape by digging holes or finding gaps in a fence, or jump over walls, gates and wire not adequate to keep them inside.”
She further warned that smaller breeds are more likely to crawl underneath gates or through palisades.
“Ensure that your yard or premises is secured and your gates are always closed. Make sure your pets can be identified and get them micro-chipped at the SPCA or vet – this is highly recommended,” Rene suggested.
According to Rene, stray animals are also a serious problem in the Randfontein area.
“In February alone we have received reports of 12 missing dogs and six missing cats.”
She said the public needs to understand that, “If the pet has no collar or form of identification, it is difficult to tell if it is a stray or a missing pet. Therefore all animals admitted without identification are regarded as strays and go into a stray pound. The owner then has to come and claim the pet.”
Asked what to do when one does come across a stray pet, Rene said either try and take it to a legal local pound such as the SPCA or contact them.
“It is very important not to keep stray animals. We never refuse any animal admission. Stray animals are most likely to end up with us. Although we have limited resources such as vehicles and equipment, and are short-staffed, we always try to catch and pick up all stray animals. We also have a lost and found system.”
She concluded by saying, “Unfortunately, not all animals reported missing are found because the public do not always report a missing pet. This makes our task more difficult. All pet owners can assist by first reporting and properly identifying their missing pet.”
The Randwest SPCA can be contacted on 011 412 3114. They also have an after-hours emergency number for stray injured/ sick animals, which is 078 911 0538. Their office hours are Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon. They are closed on a Sunday and public holidays.
The SPCA has after-hours kennels at their office building.
