Lost and Found Pet Area

	Welcome to the IMHA Lost and Found Pet Registry We realize that losing a pet can be very upsetting and stressful - for you and your pet! The IMHA is offering this FREE service staffed by volunteers to help in your search! If you are interested in helping us in this effort, please talk with your IMHA Board representative or email us at pets@invernesshomeowners.org.
	File an Online Report  Lost a Pet Found a Pet	Search Online Listings Lost Dog, Cat, Other Found Dog, Cat, Other

Here are some tips on what you can do to get your pet home safely as soon as possible!

LOST A PET? DON'T WAIT!

1. Complete a Lost Pet Report on the invernesshomeowners.org website. Indicate under Additional Information if you are offering a reward but do not indicate the amount.
2. Begin your search immediately at local shelters. Check shelters every 2-3 days - Most animal shelters only hold stray animals for a few business days before they are either made available for adoption or must be euthanized. Do not assume that a telephone call is enough! When you visit shelters check the kennels and Found Animal reports that may be posted in the office!
3. Post and distribute flyers in your area - Make flyers with your pet's photo and description and the date and location they were lost. Be sure to include your address and phone number on the flyer. Post these on free-standing signs in the neighborhood.  It is illegal to attach or tape signs to any street signs or mailboxes in the Inverness subdivision. Also, distribute them to local veterinarians, groomers, pet and feed stores, schools and other local businesses. (And once you have found your pet, be sure that you take down the flyers and notify the businesses!)
4. Place an ad and keep looking in your local newspapers and offer a reward, but do not specify the amount. This can act as an incentive for people to keep an eye out for your pet. Also, keep checking the Found Pet ads - often persons finding a lost pet will place an advertisement. Many newspapers offer free Lost and Found ads.
5. Talk with local veterinarians - Oftentimes, people who have found a lost animal will notify the closest veterinary office to inform them that they have found a lost pet.
6. Talk with your mail and newspaper delivery persons - Provide them with a photograph and ask them to keep an eye out for your pet and/or any "found pet" signs in the area.
7. Search! - Go door-to-door and inform neighbors that you have lost your pet. Also drive around looking for your pet and calling your pet's name.
8. Search the Internet for your lost pet and post a notice regarding your lost animal.
9. Don't give up! - Many pets are found months after they are lost! So keep looking and doing everything you can to bring your pet home.

FOUND A PET? NOW WHAT?

BE CAREFUL!

You don't know this animal. It may be ill, not current on vaccinations, and/or not good with children or other animals. Therefore, be careful when handling the animal. If the animal is friendly, try to secure it at your home to keep it safe while you take the following actions.

CHECK FOR IDENTIFICATION

• File A Found Pet Report in our Registry.
• If the pet has a collar, check for identification tags or a license. Call the number on the tag. If there are no tags, also check the outside and inside of the collar for identification.
• If the pet does not have a collar, you can take it to any local veterinarian to have it scanned for the presence of a microchip identification. Veterinarians will do this scan for free. While at the vet office, ask the vet to identify the main breed of the pet and its approximate age. This will help you describe the pet as you try to find its family.

NOTIFY LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS

• Call the animal shelters that are nearby to report the stray pet. You may ask that they come to pick it up or you can bring it to the shelter.

ADVERTISE

• Place a FOUND PET ad in one or more local newspapers. Include the pet's breed, approximate age, date and place found.
• Post "Found Pet" flyers in the neighborhood
• Notify local veterinarians.
• Talk with your neighbors, and drive around the neighborhood-look for LOST PET signs. If the pet is friendly, you can drive around with the pet in the car and ask neighbors if they recognize the pet. This can often lead to you finding its family right away.