Community Members Can Ease Shelter Strain by Helping Reunite Lost Pets

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Data indicates a 26% national decline since 2019 in dogs being reclaimed after entering animal shelters

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As animal shelters grapple with an increase in cats and dogs entering their facilities, reuniting lost pets with their families is more urgent than ever. According to data from Best Friends Animal Society, 2.4 million pets enter shelters as strays, yet only about 20% are successfully reunited with their owners.

“We believe that pets belong in loving homes and not in shelters, and if a pet gets lost, it’s up to the local community to help reunite them with their families,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “Studies show that one in three pets will become lost in their lifetime. That’s why it’s essential for people to microchip their pets and always keep current identification on them. That way, if they are found they can easily be returned to their home before they are ever brought to a shelter.” 
Before bringing a found animal to a shelter, Best Friends encourages people to follow the tips and actions below to help reunite pets with their people:
Knock on doors: Approximately 70% of lost dogs are found within a mile of their home and may not be lost. Ask neighbors and other community service people that are routinely in the neighborhood, such as mail carriers, if they recognize the found pet to help get them back home.

Check for ID: If the dog or cat does not have a collar and up-to-date tag with their owner’s contact information, visit a local veterinarian, animal shelter or rescue group that can scan for a microchip.  Data shows on average that 52% of dogs and two out of every five cats are successfully returned to their owners when they are microchipped.  

Hang flyers in the area: Include a clear photo of the pet, contact information, and details about where the pet was found.

•Report a found pet: Call the local shelter to report a found pet and see if they have a Foster-to-Finder Program, which allows people to provide temporary foster care for found pets while working to reunite the pet with their owner. These programs help shelters keep pets in their communities, where they have a better chance to be reunited with their owners.

•Utilize technology and social media: Petco Love Lost is a free national service that uses photo-matching technology to reunite lost pets by making matches between found pets on multiple platforms, including Nextdoor and Neighbors by Ring. Additionally, posting pets to community, neighborhood, Homeowners Association and local lost and found pages can also be effective ways to help pets get back home.  

•Keep cats in their communities: Cats seen outdoors may not be lost and may be indoor/outdoor pets or community cats, especially if they have an “ear tip.” These felines should not be taken to a shelter. Similarly, if you find a litter of kittens, don’t assume they’ve been abandoned; the mother will likely return. Kittens are at high risk in shelters, so it's best to monitor them and ensure they stay with their mother until around 8-weeks- old, when they can be spayed or neutered and vaccinated

“Every 90 seconds, a dog or cat is unnecessarily killed in U.S. shelters. To prevent this, communities can be part of the solution to save more lives by helping to reunite lost pets with their families rather than taking them to a shelter,” said Castle.

Visit bestfriends.org to learn more.

About Best Friends Animal Society  
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 415,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,900 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.
 

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters in 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to 415,000 last year. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 5,000 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org