.png)
Lost Pet Services, Inc.
Remember, this pet could have a pet sitter who has not notified the owner it is lost. Pets can become very dirty and scraggly in just one day when running scared, especially during storms.
Someone may be frantically searching for the pet you found. Please be sure to do everything possible to get that pet home safe. We are here to help.
When you have found a pet, there are several steps to take to help it get reunited with its owners. Post to our Facebook group first!
We have over 50,000 members and we will rally to help you get this pet Home Safe! Go to: Lost and Found Pets 941 (Lost Pet Services)
SOME FIRST STEPS - CONFINE THE PET
Strange animals are unpredictable and they will likely try to escape when they are in unfamiliar surroundings. Use leashes and pet carriers when walking or transporting pets. Be sure gates are locked if the pet is staying outside and all holes are blocked on fencing. Keep the found pet away from your pets. Remember, you are probably uncertain about his/her medical condition and history, reproductive capabilities, and personality.
WRITE DOWN A DESCRIPTION OF THE PET
Include pet type (dog, cat, bird, etc.), breed, sex, approximate age, size and colors. Add description collars, tags or other identifying marks.
CHECK FOR LICENSE OR ID TAGS
We can help with looking up license and ID numbers. Look up license tag numbers on PetData . Sarasota County tags cannot be looked up on PetData. You have to contact Dispatch at 941-316-1201 and they will get an officer to check the number. The license number is tied to the owner just like an ID tag.
PUT TEMPORARY ID ON THE PET
Put a collar, harness or bandanna on the pet and print the word "Found", the date and location where the pet was found, and your telephone number on it in the event the pet escapes.
SCAN FOR A CHIP - VERY IMPORTANT
Take the pet to any veterinarian’s office or Petsmart location to have the pet scanned for a chip. It is free. Also, check the pet for a tattoo which would be a mark given to them from a local shelter. It is extremely important to get the chip number for us.
Petsmart Locations:
Bradenton Store
4425 14th St West
Bradenton, Florida 34207
Telephone: (941) 753-2201.
Sarasota Store
4942 S Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34231
Telephone: (941) 923-7899
CALL - VISIT - REPORT TO ALL SHELTERS, ANIMAL SERVICES & VETERINARIANS
Animal Services and shelters are often the first place people call when they have lost their pet. Call or email all local agencies and report the found pet. Give them all the information about the pet – color of collar, any tags on the collar, if chipped, spayed or neutered, pictures, breed, etc.
ANIMAL SERVICES:
Manatee County: 941-742-5933 Ext 2 or Dial 311
Email Manatee Animal Services: kellie.frazier@mymanatee.org
Sarasota County: 941-861-9501
Email Sarasota Animal Services: lostandfound@sarasotasheriff.org
HUMANE SOCIETIES:
Manatee County: 941-747-8808 Ext. 314
Lakewood Ranch: 941-361-1071
Sarasota County: 941-955-4131
HONOR ANIMAL RESCUE: (941) 747-4900.
** IMPORTANT **
Animal Services only keeps reports for 30 days.
After 30 days you must place a new report.
CHECK WITH NEIGHBORS / WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Knock on doors in the neighborhood where you found the pet to see if someone has lost him/her or know who the pet belongs to. Walk around with the dog. Someone may be circling the area looking.
FILE A FOUND PET REPORT
Click this link to fill out this Found Pet Report. By submitting this form, you are giving consent for Lost Found Pets 941 to post the information you include (your phone number and email address) on Lost and Found Pets 941 Facebook page. This will help facilitate the possible reunion of a lost pet with their owner. Plus it will generate a free flyer for you to share.
TROUBLE UPLOADING THE PHOTOS?
If you are having trouble uploading the pet's photo on the form, please forward to Help@941LostPets.com . A good picture, preferably a full body picture of the pet is important for our posts on flyers and our Facebook group page.
CREATE / POST FLYERS
This is the #1 way most pets are reunited with their owners. We provide FREE flyers for all found pets.
By filling in our Found Pet Report, a FREE flyer will be created especially for your pet. The flyer is made for high visibility to be seen easily at intersections by passing cars as well as handouts.
Discount cards for Office Depot stores are available for printing flyers and supplies. If you make your own flyers, they should be kept simple and readable with a good phone number. If you print on Office Depot's least expensive card stock, you don't need sheet protectors. They are sturdy and basically waterproof. Otherwise, put paper copies in plastic sheet protectors with the opening at the bottom and be sure to staple in all four corners. Post it facing the direction of traffic.
Give copies of your flyer to people that walk their dogs in the area. Dogs walking on leashes notice movement that people don’t. Staple or tape our flyer to a neon poster board with LARGE writing underneath for poster-size signs.
KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE ON AT ALL TIMES
Please make yourself available for phone calls. The owner of the pet is probably frantically searching and needs to get a hold of you. Provide more than one number if you are unable to answer during work.
STAY CONNECTED- ONLINE
POST TO NEXTDOOR.COM
Nextdoor.com is a local neighborhood community web page and there is also an app. Many people who are not on Facebook post to nextdoor.com. We have had several dogs reunited using this method. Set up your nextdoor.com account for as many neighborhoods as you can.
POST ON THE RING APP
Even if you are not on the Ring app, you can post. Many people are using this app to post lost, found and pet sightings.
SOMEONE IS CLAIMING OWNERSHIP - NOW WHAT?
CONFIRM OWNERSHIP
When someone comes forward claiming ownership of the pet, be sure to get proof – pictures, vet records, pet license receipts, rabies tag receipts, adoption or sale paperwork. Ask them to describe a unique feature on the pet such as a lump, scar, or something that does not show in a picture. Never be afraid to ask.
If you are concerned about verifying ownership, make the exchange at a local police department. That will ensure you that the person is truly the pet's owner.
PLEASE FILL OUT A LOST / FOUND PET REPORT
THANK YOU FOR HELPING THIS PET TO SAFETY!
If you are having trouble uploading the found dog's photo on the form, please forward to Help@941lostpets.com
A good picture, preferably a full-body picture of the dog is important for our posts on flyers and our Facebook page.
By submitting this form, you are giving consent for Lost Found Pets 941 to post the information you include (your phone number and email address) on Lost and Found Pets 941 (Lost Pet Services) Facebook page. This will help facilitate the possible reunion of a lost pet with their owner.
Thank you for taking the time to help reunite this pet with their family!
Notice:
LOST PET PHOTOS ARE POSTED TO OUR FACEBOOK AND ON OUR WEBSITE, Twitter, Pinterest and Craigslist as a service to locate and reunite lost pets. Please be informed that by posting to Lost Pet Services, Inc. website or Facebook page and/or requesting that a message regarding your missing pet or a pet you have found be posted, you are giving your consent to make certain private information available for public viewing and hold harmless Lost and Found Pets 941 (Lost Pet Services) and Lost Pet Services, Inc. This would include name, phone number, picture and/or email address. Please be advised that Lost Pet Services, Inc. through their Facebook group, Lost and Found Pets 941 (Lost Pet Services) is requesting this information, not Facebook, in order to facilitate the recovery of your missing pet by communicating your contact information to our Facebook page or website. Lost Pet Services, Inc. is not a rescue and does not have an ownership interest in any of the pets we assist. If you help with placement, transport or foster of any of the pets posted in the page, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Lost Pets Inc., and its officers and directors of and from any liability, expenses, fines, or damages incurred as a result of any of your participation in any of the foregoing activities.
