Losing a pet is a heartbreaking and stressful experience, but acting quickly and thoughtfully can significantly increase the chances of bringing them home safely. Similarly, finding a lost animal and knowing what to do next can make all the difference in helping reunite a pet with its rightful owner. Whether it’s a curious cat that wandered too far or a dog that slipped out of a yard, knowing the right steps to take is essential.
When a pet goes missing, the most immediate and effective action an owner can take is to begin searching the surrounding area. In most cases, especially if the pet hasn’t been gone long, they’re likely still nearby. Owners should check under porches, in garages, around bushes, and behind fences, anywhere a scared animal might hide. For cats, placing their litter box and food outside can help them navigate back home using familiar scents. Many cats are known to return to areas where they feel safe or recognize their scent, especially if they haven’t been gone long.
While searching, owners should also begin notifying their community. Posting photos and details of the missing pet on neighborhood social media pages, such as Facebook groups, or community message boards, is one of the fastest ways to spread the word. Posts should include a clear image of the animal, its name, any identifying features, when and where it was last seen, and how to contact the owner.
For those who find a lost pet, the first step should be to check for any visible identification. If the animal is wearing a collar with tags, there may be a phone number or address that can quickly lead to a reunion. If no ID is present, the next best option is to post a photo of the found animal on local social platforms. In many cases, pet owners may not even be aware that their animal is missing yet, so community posts can bring a happy reunion much faster than formal reporting channels.
For residents of Minot Air Force Base, there are specific resources available. Most pets living on base are registered with Minot AFB Housing. If someone finds a pet on base, they can contact Housing, which will check the registration records and attempt to reach the owner. If the pet is not registered through housing, the Minot AFB Veterinary Clinic may have the animal in their system and can help check for microchips.
Veterinary clinics such as the Minot AFB Veterinary Clinic and Pinkerton Animal Hospital in town are also equipped to scan pets for worldwide microchips. According to the staff at Pinkerton Animal Hospital, if someone finds a lost pet, they are welcome to take the animal in to be scanned. While Pinkerton cannot provide shelter, their team is happy to help check for a microchip and will make every effort to contact the owner if the pet is registered in the worldwide database.
For pets who cannot be immediately reunited with their owners, the Souris Valley Animal Shelter, Minot’s no-kill shelter accepts found pets as long as they were found within the Minot city limits and are delivered by Animal Control.
To avoid future heartache, pet owners are strongly encouraged to use modern tools like GPS tracking collars or Apple AirTags to keep tabs on their animals. While AirTags are not designed specifically for pets, many pet owners have found them useful in tracking a pet’s location using nearby Apple devices. However, it’s important to follow safety recommendations to ensure pets don’t chew on or ingest the devices. Using secure, pet-safe holders is critical to keeping pets safe while using this technology.
In any situation involving a missing or found pet, time is of the essence. Acting quickly, whether by searching the area, contacting local resources, or spreading the word on social media, can make a huge difference. Pets are family, and with the help of an informed and compassionate community, lost animals can often be reunited with the people who love them.
