Monroe Chat

If you LOSE A PET, here is some great advice from our volunteers:

1. Make flyers with your pets photo, contact information & area last seen. Keep wording to a minimum - it makes the print larger and easier to see.

2. Post flyers in your neighborhood and surrounding areas. Give one to every person you talk to - you never know! Don't forget to post one at the grocery store, convenience store, vets office, near schools, video store, coffee shop, restaurant, pet store, the park or anyplace that will allow you. FYI - if posting flyers on telephone poles, put them in plastic page protectors with the opening facing the bottom. That way if it rains, they won't be ruined.

3. Check with your neighbors. Knock on doors and ask if anyone has seen your pet.

4. Check your local shelter - every single day. They can get as many as a hundred animals brought daily in by the public or by the Dog Warden. You can call them, but chances are they won't have any info on who has been brought in. You must go in person - every day.

5. Call your local Police Dept. An officer or Good Samaritan may have picked up your pet or the dispatcher may have information.

6. Same goes for your local county Animal Control and Sheriffs offices. Call neighboring Police Depts, too.

7. Call your Public Works Dept. They often times have the task of picking up deceased animals.

8. Check with local Animal Rescue organizations. Its not unusual for one of them to foster the lost pet or know who has it. They normally network with each other and keep a list of Lost & Found animals.

9. If your pet is a purebreed, check these specialized rescues. They may even be in a neighboring state!

10. Check with area veterinarians who may have taken in an injured stray. If they have your pet, kindly pay the bill and thank them for caring enough to help an unknown animal. Many offices have a bulletin board of Lost & Found pets, so check them in person, too.

11. Check other animal related businesses such as groomers, pet stores, trainers.

12. If your pet is microchipped, immediately call the company and report the pet missing. Make sure your contact info is up to date!

13. Call your local and regional newspapers and place a LOST ad. Ask if it will be posted online. Some papers do this at no charge. Ask them if anyone has called in a FOUND ad with a matching description!

14. Check internet sites daily; like Pets911.com, Petfinder.com, Craigslist, Dogdetective.com, Missingpets.net, Fidofinder.com.

15. Ask if local elementary schools or teachers will post your flyer in their classroom. Kids and pets go hand in hand and kids are more likely to notice a stray pet in their neighborhood.

16. If your city has a local public access TV or cable channel bulletin board, call them and ask that they run an ad. There is normally no charge.

17. Organize a search party. Remember to always search in pairs, have a cell phone, camera, collar and leash, a carrier for small pets, flashlight and a first aid kit. Wear old clothes (long sleeves & pants are best) and boots, have each party bring along a baggie of fresh chicken to lure a scared pet close enough for leashing, and no loud noises or sudden movements. If you can, find out the pets "key words" and always speak softly when approaching a strange animal.

18. Offer a reward. It's true, money talks. Most folks won't even accept it. Ask if they would prefer you donate the money to a local rescue!

And Remember:

a) Animals travel further than you think in a very short period of time. Always look outside your neighborhood up to a 2-3 mile radius.

b) Keep a collar and ID tag on your pet at all times. Law requires all dogs over 3 months have a current county license tag. Cost is only $14.

c) A microchip can be a lifesaver if your pet slips out of his collar (cat collars are always made to break-a-way for safety) or he slips out the back door after a bath. The county shelter currently offers microchipping for only $25 - registration included! Or ask your veterinarian.

d) Pets can also be tattooed. Ask your vet! Like a microchip, the number must be registered or it is worthless!

e) Keep a current picture of your pet handy in both print and especially, digital form. Have 2 photos available if your pet gets a summer haircut - one longhaired, one trimmed.

f) If you move, contact the County Auditor and your microchip company to update your contact information. There is nothing more frustrating than calling a disconnected number!

Monroe Police: 539-9234
Monroe Public Works: 539-7373
Butler County Dog Warden: 785-6543
Butler County Sheriffs Office: 785-1300
Butler County Animal Shelter (AFHS): 867-5727
Warren County Humane Society - Lebanon: 695-1176
Liberty Township Police: 759-7340
Monroe Veterinary Hospital: 539-8737
Blueball Veterinary Hospital: 424-6241
Drs. Krebs & Koehler: 423-2331
Liberty Veterinary Hospital: 755-9700
Middletown Journal News: 420-0097
Monroe Observer Newspaper: 423-0831
Catnip & Carrots Animal Bunch - Monroe: 360-0275
PAWS - Middletown: 422-7297
Homeless Area Rescue Team - Liberty Township: 379-7514
Furbabies Need Luv - Middletown: mabear001@yahoo.com
Angel Animal Rescue - Middletown: rtmcgonigle@msn.com
4 Love of Pets Rescue - West Chester: forloveofpetsrsq@yahoo.com
Animal Adoption Foundation - Hamilton: 737-7387
Fostering Animals into Terrific Homes - Hamilton: 868-3647
D&D Doggy Wash - Middletown: 424-8065
Bunkies Pet Boutique and Grooming - Monroe: 777-6112
Colonial Acres Kennels - Liberty Township: 777-2266
Blue Ribbon Grooming - Liberty Township: 777-0444
Butler County Auditor: 887-3138
Home Again Microchips: (888)466-3242
24 PetWatch Microchips: (866)597-2424
Avid Microchips: (800)336-2843

Wow a great informational thread! Thanks C & C!

That is a great resource. Thanks for posting it!

Our little pooch is a small escape artist and he often gets out without our even knowing it. He's just a quick, tiny little thing and he scoots out the door sometimes without our knowledge, kind of like a cat. Fortunately he is the world's friendliest dog and leaps into the arms of the first person he sees, and in this manner is usually returned to us. I try to return the many favors by doing the same every time I see a wandering pet, but they always run away from me!