lost dog

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.

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.

Pet FBI “Special Agent” Teresa Aids in Recovery of Lost Dog

Lost Dog and Family

A Reunited Harry with his Human Brothers and Sister

Pet FBI “special agent”, our good pal and frequent hero, Teresa, saw Harry’s lost dog report on our database. (www.petfbi.org)

She contacted Harry’s Mom and encouraged her to post on our Facebook Ohio page as well. Teresa lives in the general area where Harry was lost so she shared his plight on Nextdoor.com. She soon received a couple of Harry sightings!

So what else would Teresa do on a blustery, rainy and cold day off? She went searching for Harry!

By following her intuition regarding where to look she actually came upon Harry! This remarkable woman then pulled over and sat outside of her car crunching on a bag of chips and making minimal eye contact in hopes of luring Harry as our pal Julia has taught us to do. Harry trotted off, however. But at the same moment his Mom happened to drive by looking for him! She encountered a rain-soaked Teresa. Teresa pointed Mom in his direction. Here is the happy result.

YOU TOO CAN BE A BECOME A PET FBI “SPECIAL AGENT”!

Here’s how: First, you do not need to brave the rain and the cold to go looking for lost pets in person. Just go to our page on how to help people recover lost pets read about what anyone can do unofficially.

Teddy and Maura: A Love Story

Foster Mom falls in love with lost dog

Maura and Teddy,
“The Love of My Life”

Sometimes our “Lost and Found” experiences result in an unexpected turn of events. When an original owner cannot be traced, there may still be a happy ending, thanks to people who care. Here is Maura’s story about her serendipity love affair with Teddy in her own words – they even look like they were meant for each other!

“Teddy was found November 10th by good Sam Julia H. in Grove City. He was covered in urine, matted fur, shaking and scared.

Julia is a vet tech so after giving him a bath she immediately took him to the vet she works for to check for microchip, but Teddy didn’t have one. He also had not been neutered.

She posted to PetFBI and mentioned she owns 2 large dogs and that this new doggie was not doing well with them, very scared.

I commented on the post that I would be more than happy to foster – I have a spacious condo with no other pets but have been caring for doggies my whole life and I couldn’t bare to see him end up at the shelter. Julia replies within minutes how thankful she was – and later that evening we met so I could get Teddy and go over things with her. Our motto was “no proof, no pup!” And I’m glad it was, because in the coming days I had 7-10 offers to buy him 🙁

From the night Teddy arrived here, he has been a dream! I took him to my groomer friends the next day and they said it looked like his nails hadn’t been clipped in over a year, but luckily he did not squirm when clipped so I don’t think there was any pain! He was SO good for his groom, just wanted to lick them the whole time! While he knows no commands (even basic) he has been on his best behavior. He doesn’t quite understand toys yet (or bones!) Zero accidents in the house! Sleeps with me in bed at night – and sleeps through the night. He’s just a snuggle monster. He follows me like a shadow and cries a bit when I leave but I think that will stop in time.

So far he’s learned to sit, seems to know his new name (Teddy), and is scheduled to be microchipped, neutered and given shots on November 30th.

He’s got a ton of people who love him already, and I honestly feel like he found me! He brings so many laughs and light into my life! I’m so happy to be able to give him the best life ever!

Thanks for all you do!!”

Maura

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Lost — An Informative Podcast Courtesy of “The Great Dog Adventure”

 

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Lost - Link to Podcast

ATTENTION DOG LOVERS! “The Great Dog Adventure” is a great site for you with lots of useful and entertaining information and outstanding weekly podcasts. A recent one featured Pet FBI’s founder and Director, Maresa Fanelli. She shares lots of helpful tips and tricks, strategies and skills developed over our 17 years of helping people recover lost pets of all kinds. This podcast interview focuses on recovering lost dogs.