Happy Tails

Cat Reunited After Two Weeks Thanks to Pet FBI Database

Lost Cat Reunited

“Ean” Surfaced Many Miles From Home

Missing for two whole weeks, thankfully Good Sam filed a report for him on our free lost & found pet database! www.petfbi.org

Good Sam was convinced he had a family missing him because he was a lover boy. Turns out his Mom & Dad are grad students from China and were unaware of Pet FBI. Just as they were losing hope someone suggested they search our database and there he was!

Ean had somehow traveled many, many miles and would have had to cross many busy streets! Thank goodness for www.petfbi.org!

OBJECT LESSON:
Most cats are found very close to home. Inside cats especially are unlikely to go far – at least for the first week or so – and will probably be found hiding very close by. BUT, it is not at all unusual for lost cats to turn up far from where they went missing. Sometimes they get there on their own; sometimes they have been picked up by someone and then gotten away; or maybe they were spirited off unknowingly while exploring a pickup truck or a van. When searching for a lost cat or dog be sure to extend your search beyond the immediate area. Check shelters in nearby counties and put posters up at major intersections beyond your neighborhood. Extend your search as time passes.

Pet FBI “Special Agent” Teresa Scores Another Recovery!

Nike and Niko Renuited

Nike and Niko: Lost Dogs Recovered By Pet FBI “Special Agent” Teresa

These two fellas had a quick reunion shortly after being posted on Pet FBI Ohio thanks to our very own “special agent”, pal and frequent hero, Teresa!

Teresa lives in the area where they were missing so she hopped in the car to look for them. Teresa often follows a hunch when deciding where to drive and it paid off again today! The boys were trotting along dangerously close to a busy road when Teresa pulled over. She called for them, they ran to her and then hopped in her car!

You, Too Can Become a Pet FBI “Special Agent”!
Here are some things anyone can do to get lost pets back home without officially volunteering:

  • Keep an eye out for lost pets in your neighborhood. Follow the database for reports close to your zip to see what pets have gone missing in your area. If you are in Ohio, follow our Pet FBI Ohio Facebook page.
  • Be a cross-checker! Some people post a lost or found report in one place, like Craigslist or Facebook and stop there. They have heard of these big sites, but they don’t know about Pet FBI or any other web database. If you are have a good memory or a good system, you may be able to match up lost and found reports from various sites!
  • If you live near a pound or a shelter, you could volunteer to be the “go-to” lost and found person. Follow postings for lost and found pets on Pet FBI and various other resources and look for a match at the shelter. (This kind of thing is not high priority at most shelters where volunteers have all to do to care for the many animals.)
  • When you see a lost/found flyer around town, contact the people to tell them about Pet FBI.
  • Print out some Pet FBI flyers and post them in pet supply stores, convenience stores, community bulletin boards, etc. Just carry some around with you in your purse or in your car and post them when you come across a public bulletin board. Be sure to ask for permission if required.
  • Mention Pet FBI to your vet, your groomer, or your pet sitter. Ask them to post a Pet FBI flyer so people learn about it.

Shelter Posting Leads to Unlikely Recovery

cat in arms of dad

Beating the odds, thanks to shelter’s policy of posting to PetFBI.org

Kip, shown here in the arms of his Dad, had been missing for almost two months. A Good Samaritan found him and brought him in to Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) , an open admission shelter in Columbus, Ohio. Fortunately, CAHS, has some enlightened policies. For one thing, they post stray intakes on the free public database at petfbi.org. The Pet FBI lost and found pet database is the core of this web site and if all shelters took advantage of it, they would increase their recovery rates and lower their euthanasia rates. They would also spare themselves the trouble of escorting distraught pet parents in search of their lost pet through one or more holding areas.

Kip’s Dad had been checking the database and that’s how he discovered – almost two months after this beautiful kitty went missing – that he was at the shelter. Without the posting he would have had to visit the shelter regularly for almost two months. This would have been virtually impossible. For one thing, the shelter is on the other side of town from where he lives.

There is often an interval of many weeks or months before a cat “surfaces” and is brought to a shelter. A cat that is lost is inclined to keep a low profile and elude people until it is really desperate. By that time the cat’s family may have already given up! So Kip really beat the odds – thanks to CAHS’s policy of posting to PetFBI.org and his Dad’s persistence. As an added bonus, Kip was neutered and microchipped, another enlightened protocol at CAHS.

If you are reading this, please encourage your local shelter to take advantage of Pet FBI’s free database. All reports are strictly managed by the poster and can be edited, updated or inactivated at any time.

Miracle Reunion!

Lost and found Kitty

The lucky Miss Kitty:
Dumped, Rescued, and Traced Back to First Mom

Our dynamite Facebook Admin, Char, posted the following:

“Friends this is one of the most amazing conclusions our page has ever experienced.

Our Facebook friend Cat (yes, that’s her name) has utilized Pet FBI Ohio a few times over the years when she has lost or found a pet.

She posted the plight of her cat Miss Kitty mentioning she knew it was a long shot, but she had to give it a try. Miss Kitty had been missing since September 2015.

Miss Kitty was being fostered by a ‘friend’ during Cat’s move and while she transitioned into her new place. The two women had a falling out and the awful ‘friend’ took it out on Miss Kitty by not only dumping her out to fend for herself, but also tossing her from a moving car! Hopefully karma will work its magic on this vile woman the rest of her life.

Once I posted Miss Kitty’s plight I gasped in amazement 8 hours later. Stephanie commented that she was pretty certain she had adopted Miss Kitty from Friends for Life rescue group at a Petsmart – about 60 miles from where Miss Kitty was last seen – in October 2015.

Her new Mom was so gracious and she invited Cat to visit to determine if her new cat was indeed Miss Kitty.

IT WAS! Can you believe that?! I still can’t. It’s just mind blowing. Thank goodness for our pal Randi for being such a good friend of our page. New Mom Stephanie saw our post thanks to Randi’s share.

Miss Kitty’s new name is “Cinder” and Cat is so relieved knowing she is safe and very much adored and loved. Cinder’s new Mom has extended the invitation for Cat to visit anytime.

Anyone else have a tear in their eye?”

OBJECT LESSON:
1 -Never give up! It’s never too late to post
2- Do not underestimate the power of Facebook! Our Pet FBI Ohio Facebook page has 30,000 likes and a reach of 300,000

“Jack” Home Again, Thanks to Pet FBI Database!

Lost cat reunited

If only Jack could tell his tale of adventure!

Almost a month had gone by when Jack turned up eleven miles from where he went missing. An unlikely reunion – but it happened thanks to the Pet FBI database.

Dave & Andrea are Westerville Ohio residents that first noticed this kitty on 1/5/16. They struck out with a microchip and their search did not turn up  any lost cat flyers. They then searched the Pet FBI lost & found pet database (www.petfbi.org) and couldn’t believe their eyes. There was kitty’s lost cat report! He went missing on 12/11 and was found 11 miles from home!

Our lost & found pet database has been a central location for pet owners and finders to exchange information since 1998. It is a free service sponsored by our all-volunteer non-profit organization.

 

Boggie Found …”After 2 1/2 Very Long Freezing Cold Days”!

Lost Dog Found

Boggie and Mom, Right After His Recovery

Boggie’s family turned to Pet FBI when he went missing on a visit away from home. Here is his happy Mom’s account:

“I lost hope but your blog made me feel better.  Especially about dogs surviving in the cold.  We were in Cincinnati visiting my family for Christmas from Charlotte NC and the night before we were planning to leave, Boggie ran out of the yard to chase some deer around 10 pm. He was gone in minutes.  We searched until 1:30 am and started again at 5:30 am.  He has never done that before and really never leaves the yard.  He is a lab/boxer mix and such a big baby.  He sleeps on our laps and is afraid of his own shadow so the thought of him alone at night in the cold was frightening. Your site suggested that we post signs and Facebook messages, as well as visit all of the shelters and post on their sites.  We contacted the police dept and handed out flyers to postal workers in the area.  Boggie was spotted 3 miles away. We continued to search for another night and day (2 1/2 days total) until someone spotted him again being walked by someone in the area.  We went door to door and found him!!! We cannot thank you enough for your website and blog:)

OBJECT LESSONS:
1) Dogs can travel far and fast. Do not limit your search to the immediate neighborhood
2) People who lose a pet are in panic mode and not sure what to do. Follow the step-by-step action plan at petfbi.org.
3) For special situations like dogs lost way from home, consult our special advice page
4)  For hope and inspiration, read Pet FBI’s other blog posts about “Happy Tails” or successful recoveries, often against all odds.
5) Please do report “sightings” of free-roaming strays or dogs reported as lost. They help a lot.

The Importance of Microchips!

Lost Cat w microchip

Gone for a whole year – Recovered through microchip

Good Sam Darla sent us a message last month asking what steps she should take regarding this kitty that had been stopping by every evening for a few months. In addition to filing a report on our free lost and found pet database petfbi.org, I also suggested she stop by a vet to have her scanned for a microchip for free and guess what?

She had a chip! Her name is Penny and she had been missing for ONE YEAR!!!!

Unfortunately the reunion wasn’t as happy as everyone had hoped. Penny was spooked and didn’t recognize her family at first. But at least she’s home safe and sound thanks to Darla!!

About Microchips

A good permanent method of permanent pet ID is the microchip. A microchip is a tiny identification device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted beneath the skin of your pet. Each chip contains a unique identification number. When a pet is found, it can be scanned at an animal shelter or veterinary clinic. All shelters and vets will provide this service free of charge.

Many companies now offer microchips for pets. They are not terribly expensive. Often humane societies offer low-cost microchipping clinics, so ask your local humane society or consult your vet.


 

Snickers: Lost, Found, Sold, Recovered – Scams on the Rise

Stray Dog, Found, Sold, Recovered

Snickers – Reunited with his adoring family thanks to an honest person.


Snickers was found within an hour of going missing by an unscrupulous individual who tried to sell her for $25. He then either sold or gave her away to a lovely gentleman who took great care of her this past week. He was mortified to learn that Snickers had a family that loved her and was looking for her. He returned her immediately.

Unfortunately, this is not an unusual story – except for the honesty and kindness of the gentleman who adopted Snickers not knowing he was some little boy’s lost pet. It seems that lately we hear more and more stories about people unwilling to return a pet they have found. Sometimes it’s unscrupulous people who try to profit by selling a stray they have found. Then there are those with good intentions but poor judgement who rush to judgement and decide to keep a stray they have found because  they think it looks neglected or just because it got lost which they take as evidence of neglect. With all the resources there are out there, including Pet FBI which is free and all the social media, there is no excuse for not  trying to trace the owner of a stray.

Then there is outright pet theft, which is a lot more common than people think. We get reports from all over, not just “bad neighborhoods”.  Never leave your pet unattended. We have reports of pets snatched from screened porches, fences yards, and even especially from cars.

Personal Advice From Char + Runaway Cat Attracting Tip = Recovery!

Safia, lost cat recovered and Mom

Safia and Mom Happily Reunited! Warmed-up Tuna Fish Did the Trick!

Our Pet FBI Facebook Ohio Administrator, Char,  is behind hundreds of happy reunions thanks to her personal attention. There were over 80 reunions on Facebook Ohio just in November!

Although we give detailed advice and step-by-step action plans on our internet database at petfbi.org, there is nothing as effective as personal encouragement from a dedicated volunteer like Char.

Safia’s Mom took her friend’s suggestion and posted her missing kitty on our Facebook Ohio page. Char immediately texted her our cat attracting tips.

Here is a note from a very grateful Mom:

“Safia is home safe! Words cannot express how grateful I am for the help and tips given to me from Pet FBI Ohio . I would more specifically like to thank Char. She contacted me almost immediately after I posted that she had been lost (around 7:40 pm this evening). She got information from me and gave me tips that helped lure my kitty back to her home. I warmed up tuna and put some in a dish just outside the door to the garage AND just inside the actual garage door. I waited a little bit and rewarmed the tuna as instructed. I even placed her kitty bed with my pillowcase out in the garage. Sometime a little after 9 pm, I was going to place a “poo” bag I had scooped out of the litter box out in the garage, and as I opened the door, Safia came running inside. I would have posted this sooner, but I was hysterically crying once I realized she was home safe. I also notified my neighbors.

My lovely sister updated my post and Char again contacted me to let me know how happy she was that my kitty had been found and even called to speak with me. THANK YOU PET FBI. I am one happy cat lady.”

A Christmas Miracle …or …Annals of Amazing Cats!

25 year old cat recovered

25 Year Old “Mr. Kidders” Recovered Three Miles Away Visiting Old “Girlfriends”!

This 25 year old cat ended up three miles away, apparently attracted by some females he had visited previously!

Here is his Mom’s account of the reunion from her post on our Ohio Facebook page.

“A good Sam named Laura noticed the flyers I put up and called at 230 AM on Wednesday morning (the flyers did say to call anytime) and exhaustively told me that she had Mr. Kidders and would wait until I got off work at 3AM to come get him. When he went missing last year, he wound up at Laura’s but at that time he came back on his own…over 3 miles from home! She told me she has 2 female cats and that could be why he keeps finding his way back to her. Laura would not take any of the $250 reward offered, was just happy I had him back again and happy she could go to bed! Thank you Pet FBI and thank you all of those who prayed, searched and gave me their best wishes! This is my Christmas miracle getting my love back and I pray that everyone missing their pet gets the same blessing I did!  Thank you again!”