Sadly, many people have been through this situation and, as owners, we're always at risk. What should you do? How should you act?
Here are a few tips.
Why do they run away?
Pets usually run away to "escape" boredom or loneliness, to respond to sexual urges if they haven't been neutered, in reaction to sudden, unexpected events that frighten them, out of curiosity, if windows or doors are left open, or, when they're new to a home, to go looking for their old "territory".
How far can they go?
Large, strong dogs, especially younger ones, can run 5 km or more. Small dogs may go up to 1 km at most. Most dogs are recovered within a 2 km radius of their home.
As for cats, being indoor animals, statistics show that when they go missing they tend to be very close to home.
Where should you look?
Animals will naturally avoid noisy, busy areas. If they're friendly, upon meeting kind people likely to offer them comfort, food and shelter, they may easily "give themselves up". If your pet is shy, or doesn't trust strangers, it will hide; bushes and cars can make good hiding places. When the motivation is sexual urges, commonly known as being in heat, everything changes: the animal will instinctively pay no attention to its surroundings and may wander through public spaces or busy streets.
I've been round 300 times and I can't find him...
Take a deep breath. Set the anxiety aside. Think rationally. Start again.
Think about the most likely reason that motivated your pet. Think about their size, ability and adaptability. Draw a circle around the point where you lost them: half a km? 1 km? more?
Think about the places within that circle where your furry friend would go to find company, comfort and food. A school playground? A public park? The house of the friend who treats them well?
Think about all the people who live within that circle, who go to school, who play in the parks. People who spend a lot of time outdoors and are likely to spot a lost animal. Rally all these people into action: contact them (phone, SMS), use social media, put up a photo of your furry friend in cafés and on lampposts, contact vets, kennels, veterinary hospitals, shelters and pet shops. Add dozens, hundreds of people to the search!
We've found him!
Joy! But take care: don't scold him — he'll be just as distressed as his owners. Give him plenty of cuddles and affection. Throw a party! Make sure you take the proper precautions to prevent the situation from happening again, the most important being: get a microchip fitted, if they don't already have one, and always use an ID tag with contact details.
