Having a sick or injured pet is certainly scary. But there’s a unique terror that strikes the hearts of pet owners when their pet goes missing. Not knowing where they are, what’s happened to them, and when or if they’ll come home is truly the stuff of nightmares.

The good news is that most pets are found. It’s often thanks to the smart and diligent care of their owners who do the right things to find them.

1. Get them chipped and tagged

While this is sort of a retroactive tip, it’s worth mentioning that you have far greater chances of reuniting with your pet if they have a microchip and are wearing a collar with an ID tag. If they’re found by a good samaritan and brought to a shelter or vet, your info will pop up and you’ll be contacted right away.

2. Move quickly

Instead of waiting around to see if they come back, immediately snap into action. Go out looking for them in your neighborhood, call their name, and see if they might be stuck or trapped somewhere.

3. Search at night

Some pets (particularly skittish ones) may hide out during the day to avoid the scary noises of people and cars. They might be more likely to come out to you or return to their home when it gets quiet at night.

4. Use sound and smell

Animals are very tuned into their senses. If you’re walking around looking for them, bring along a familiar noise-making toy they love or a bag of treats you can shake. The familiar sound could lure them out of hiding. You can also try putting something that smells like you, your home, and them outside your home – think litter boxes, blankets, food bowls, etc.

5. Get the word out

The more people who know they’re missing, the more likely someone will contact you if they spot your pet.

  • Call local veterinarians, shelters, and animal control centers to see if your pet has been brought in.
  • Make flyers with your pet’s picture and put them around your neighborhood.
  • Tell neighbors and everyone you pass as you walk around looking.
  • Post in local lost pets or community groups on Facebook.
  • Post to sites like Lost Dogs Illinois, Lost Cats Illinois, Fido Find, Craigs List, Pet Harbor and Every Block.

6. Be available

If you can work from home, do so until your pet is safely home. Keep your phone close by and check notifications often. If someone spots your pet, you want to be able to respond as quickly as possible.

7. Don’t give up

You’ve probably seen enough heart-warming stories of people being reunited with their lost pets to know that you just never know. Of course, it’s best to do all you can to find them within the first couple of days they’re missing. But if you don’t find them quickly, it doesn’t mean you won’t. Keep searching, posting, calling, and hoping that they’ll find their way home to you.