It’s happened. Your worst nightmare. Your pet is lost!
You See the Pet Escape
You opened the car door to let your dog out in your driveway. Instead of heading for your front steps, though, your dog chased a neighbor’s cat across the street and kept on going. What do you do?
- Grab your keys and phone.
- Take the leash and treats.
- Follow the pet, keeping up with him as best you can. Don’t wave your arms around or yell angrily; that’s not going to solve anything and it’s much more likely to convince your pet to continue running.
- Keep the pet in sight if possible.
- Phone neighbors who live nearby. Ask them to call in immediately to animal control to report the kind of pet, the size and description of the pet, the current location of the pet, and which direction you think it’s going.
You Catch Up With the Pet
You’ve followed the pet as best you could and you spot him or her not far away.
- Assess the situation to determine which way you do not want the pet to run—toward a busy street, for example. Then quietly, slowly, and calmly place yourself to block that direction if that’s at all possible. If you have help from neighbors, or even passers-by on the street, direct them to block access to anywhere the pet might run and get away from you. Ideally, “corner” the pet—without being intimidating—in a spot with only one entrance (like a back yard), then block that entrance.
- If you think it will help, direct your helpers to block the pet bodily: low to the ground (kneeling or squatting) for a small pet, standing up with arms extended for a larger pet. Helpers should not call or motion to the pet—that’s your job—nor should they move closer without your direction. Be firm if you are dealing with helpers whom you don’t already know. Do not let anyone interfere! It may be difficult to maintain your temper if you’re confronted by a know-it-all who wants to lasso your pet with a rope, but for your pet’s sake, be in control. Don’t blow this chance to save him!
- Stand sideways to the pet. This is a “calming signal” that may give him confidence that you are not “chasing” or “attacking” him. Kneel down, get small, keep your arms at your sides, try to watch the pet out of the corner of your eye rather than making direct eye contact with him. At this point the pet (especially a dog) may be quite excited by its own break for freedom. Chances are, he’s looking at this adventure as some sort of a game. The game you do not want to play is Catch Me If You Can. No chasing, no grabbing. You want the pet to come to you, rather than your going to the pet.
- No commands, please. Trust me, gruffly yelling, “Come Here!” has never convinced any pet to do just that willingly. They know darn well that tone of voice means they’re in trouble! Instead, use a light, happy voice, including the pet’s name, and some “cues” he might recognize: “Barney, sweetie, I bet you’d like a treat! Come here, my sweetie! Good boy, good Barney, that’s a dog. I’ve got treats!”
- You might get a playful response back from a dog, and maybe even from a cat—a response that indicates that Barney or Fluffy knows you have good intentions. Maybe a play bow, a happy yip or meow, rolling around on the ground. You know your pet. You should be able to tell if he’s playing or if he’s frightened. (Although it certainly could be a little bit of both!)
- You’re pretty sure he’s playing? Get out those treats and show him what you’ve got. Entice him! Your job is to encourage him to come to you. Do not reach out to grab him when he’s close. Let him walk all the way to where you are.
- Offer a treat and take his collar. Attach the leash, praise him effusively, thank all your helpers, and take him home. No punishment, no repercussions, no time-outs when you get there. Let him know how pleased you are with him for “coming when called” (although you never called him as if you were issuing an order) and make it a happy experience for him all around.
- Next time, put the leash on before you open the car door, please, or keep the animal in a carrier until you get inside.
What If You Know Your Pet Is Frightened?
The back door has blown open and, scared by the loud bang, your indoor cat runs the wrong way—out. Or your thunder-phobic dog has freaked in a lightning storm and jumped out of your back yard while you stood there and watched? What if you catch up to your pet and you know—you just know—that the pet is terrified?
- Follow the pet as I’ve outlined above . . . but when you catch up, consider not involving too many strangers, even if they offer to help. Perhaps they can spread out farther back as you stay within sight of the pet, with the job of reporting which way the pet runs if you aren’t able to make contact. Neighbors from your emergency list might be a better help, but only if the pet is comfortable with them at home in the first place. Use your best judgment. It’s always a crap shoot.
- With all helpers out of sight, stay some distance away yourself. Find a spot and sit down, or even lie down, sideways to the pet. Become really small and very calm. I have heard many experienced animal rescuers suggest that you might quietly sing a song, or talk to the pet with encouraging words the pet might recognize. (Yes, even a cat!) “Good Fluffy, you’re such a good kitty, I bet you’re hungry, we should go home and get you some tuna. Tuna?” Your job is to stay still and quiet as the pet is convinced it’s safe to approach you. Lying down often works very well because the pet will be frankly curious about what the heck you’re doing there and might walk over to investigate.
- Don’t blow it. No reaching out, grabbing, or excited yelling! Be careful if you intend to carry the animal home in your arms, especially with cats. Keep calm and you’re less likely to get scratched. Should the pet be really upset after you’ve got it securely in your arms, you might hold on tight while a neighbor or family member goes home to get a car and an animal carrier—advisable if you have ended up far from home while following your pet’s adventure.
However you manage to get the pet home, I cannot overstate: make that part of the day a happy experience or, at least, not any more stressful than the escape has been already. No lectures! (Later, when the pet recovers, you can deal with the family member who left the door unlatched, forgot to put the leash on before opening the door, or whatever. Do not involve the pet, who’s an innocent victim.)
Your pet may recover from the stress fairly quickly and appear to have no ill effects. That would be good. Should your pet not appear to recover—or should you suspect there may be injuries that are not immediately evident—take the pet to your veterinary clinic right away to let your vet check him or her out. Even for a pet who’s been “lost” only for minutes, at least 24 hours of close observation after your return home is a very good idea. You may have questions. Call your veterinary clinic and get some advice. If it’s suggested you bring the pet in, do that.
Next week, I’ll cover searching for and finding a pet you did not see escape—a pet whose whereabouts are unknown and who may have been missing for more than a few hours.
