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RESOURCES
Lost dogs checklist
Lost Dogs Checklist
If you have lost your Dog, follow this checklist
Contact your local animal control and others in the area. Give them a description of your pet and a
reliable way to contact you.
Contact your veterinarian and make sure they have current contact information for you if someone
finds your pet. Don’t forget to contact past veterinarians as well just in case the pet is traced back to
them.
Contact local emergency vets. If your pet was injured it might be taken there. Leave contact
information and a description of your pet.
If your pet is microchipped contact the microchip company and make sure they have current
contact information
Contact the breeder or rescue group you got your pet from. If your pet is found it may be traced
back to them and they need current contact information for you.
Rescue groups are a great resource to help search for your pet since they frequent local animal
shelters.
Drive around your neighborhood and search. If you can’t get a clear view of everything, get out and
walk. Talk to neighbors and let them know your pet is missing and how to contact you if they see it.
Make and post flyers. You can find some great tips for creating effective lost/found posters here:
http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-posters.php.
List the pet under “lost and found” on Craigslist.com
List the pet under “lost and found” on Petfinder.com
Post lost CATS on https://www.facebook.com/lostcatsazd
Post lost DOGS on https://www.facebook.com/LostDogsArizona
Get the word out. If you are on Facebook, myspace or any other social networking sites post a
picture of your lost pet and contact information.
Place lost ads in local papers. If they have online versions post there as well. Many papers will run
lost and found ads for no charge.
Check local animal shelters every day IN PERSON! Only you can truly ID your pet and they may not
have long to be recovered once they are in the shelter. Do not only check in your city, check in
neighboring cities in case your pet wandered into their jurisdiction.
Don’t give up too early! Keep at it! Pets have been found months after they were originally lost.
Please use every available resource to look for your pet.
Grief Support Resources
Losing a pet is difficult. There are numerous resources and organizations that provide support and can be found online by searching keywords such as “pet grief support” and “pet euthanasia”. Below is a list of some of the sites that provide grief support, memorials and answer commonly asked questions.
Cornell Grief Resources (www.vet.cornell.edu > About Us > Outreach > Pet Loss Support Hotline > Resources for Grieving
This website includes FAQ’s about pet loss and euthanasia as well as other comprehensive, helpful resources including links to other websites, printed and audiovisual materials, and a Pet Loss Support Hotline (which is answered by veterinary students who have gone through extensive training with a grief counselor).
Companion Animal Association of Arizona (www.caaainc.org > pet grief support)
The mission of this organization is to enhance the quality of lives of people by promoting the Human/Companion Animal Bond and to provide support when the bond is broken.
Pet Grief Support Service
- Pet Grief Support Helpline
- Links to Pet Loss Counseling, Pet Loss Articles, Children and Pet Loss, General Pet Loss
- Support Group for Grieving Animal Lovers (meets 1st Saturday of every month at the Hospice of the Valley)
Rainbow Bridge Support (www.rainbowbridge.com)
This website is for a euthanasia service in Washington, but it includes a few pages that answer commonly asked questions
regarding topics such as making the decision to euthanize and how to communicate with children about the loss of a pet. The following are available on the website:
Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial – A memorial created to leave special memories you shared with your pet.
Pet Loss Grief Support Center – Here you will find the Pet Loss Forum & Chat Room, along with other resources.
Visit the Residents of Rainbows Bridge – A listing of all Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorials.
Rainbows Bridge Pin & Poem Set – Accompanied by the poem, the pin is worn in honor and memory of your beloved pet.
New Beginnings – Search various databases for answers to health-related questions, and for Rescue Shelters in your area.
Monday Candle Lighting Ceremony – Join other pet owners to honor beloved pets who have gone to Rainbow Bridge.
The Rainbow Boutique – Pet memorial items from respected vendors.
Pet Poems & Stories – Encourages all visitors to share their poems & stories about a beloved pet.
E-Sympathy Cards – On-line Sympathy Cards to let friends know you care and understand the emotional pain of their loss.
The Guardian Area – You, a Guardian of a Rainbow Resident, go to care for your pet.
Volunteer – Volunteer to send a condolence, offer help at a pet loss chat, email an e-sympathy card or help at a forum.
Donations – A portion of all purchases is donated to rescue shelters chosen at random 4x/year.
Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org > sanctuary > Angels Rest Memorials)
Best Friends Animal Society is an animal welfare society with a large sanctuary located in Utah, which for the past 30 years has
been a leader in the no kill movement across the United States.
Angels Rest Memorials
“The gift of a memorial is a loving tribute to those who have touched our lives. It serves not only as a remembrance of the love you shared, but it also provides a second chance to those in need. Whether they're furry or not, your tribute will berecorded and live here within our website”.
Pet Celebration & Memorial Program (www.phoenixzoo.org > Support the Zoo > Pet Celebration & Memorial Program)
The Phoenix Zoo offers two ways to honor that special animal family member in your life. This is a special way to make a donation in memory of a beloved pet or to celebrate a new animal addition to your family. Upon your donation, you or your designated recipient receives a personalized card that announces your gift to the zoo.
Books for Children and Adults:
Snort’s Special Gift by Suzann Yue
This is a family story that explores different ways to grieve for and remember a beloved pet. This healing story addresses feelings of loss in gentle and supportive ways as the family shares happy memories and creates a beautiful celebration of Snort’s life.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
We are all attached in some way and this story is about a mother explains to her child how there is an invisible string that connects us to those we love, even when they are gone. A good book that helps kids when they lose someone or a pet.
Lasting Paws Pet Memorial Services (www.lastingpawsmemorial.com > Pet Aftercare > Grief Support)
Since 1992, the Veterinary Neurological Center has utilized Dr. Michael Ames crematory services which now goes by the name Lasting Paws Per Memorial Services. Their website provides a list of books for those grieving the loss of a pet as well as additional grief resources and explanation of their services.
Grief Support Resources
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends, so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, Just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; They each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, You cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, And you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, So long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
The Rainbow Bridge
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