Searches An on-site search has many facets. It starts with a detailed analysis and profile of the pet’s personality, behavior, and past actions. It continues with a history of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the pet, including weather, time of day, and recent occurrences (parties, ball-games, fireworks, etc.). Next is an examination of the neighborhood, including traffic flow, pedestrian traffic, other animals, types of neighbors, hazards and temptations, etc. From all of this information and the expertise of FINDING PAWS Missing Animal Response technicians, a Search Strategy is formulated.
A Search Strategy is a prioritized plan which will help to narrow down the focus of the search. It might include targeted poster placement and door-to-door flyer distribution, specific shelter/rescue group checks, or calling certain local businesses, schools, or groups who had events happening at the time of disappearance. It always involves narrowing the search focus to the most likely areas where the pet will be. For a cat, that means determining where the cat most likely IS right now. For a dog, that means determining which direction it likely WENT when it left.
This is where the actual “search” part comes in. A good search involves all of the senses (except, possibly, taste…).
We look in all likely places for the pet. We can use night vision equipment, magnifying equipment, high-power flashlights, and plain-old hands-and-knees peering through the bushes. We look for fur, blood, feces, or any other signs that an animal has been in the area.
We listen for any sign that there is an animal present. We use a high-tech “bionic ear” which can amplify the sound of a cat, for example, high in a tree. We listen to the birds, crickets, and frogs (!) in the area, because changes in their calls can tell us if there is some sort of animal present.
We feel around for the pet. We move bushes, look under spa-covers, pick up and compare any animal fur we find. If there is blood or potential blood found, we have CSI-type equipment to determine if it is, in fact, animal blood. If we find blood or fur, we can often collect a sample to have it sent away for DNA testing and comparison!
We smell for the pet. Well, more specifically, our Search Dogs do the smelling!
Loki is a certified Trailing and Cat Detection dog, who can take a scent from a missing dog’s bed, leash, or food-bowl, or from an indoor-only cat's scratch post or bed, start at the PLS (point last seen) and trail where that dog/cat has walked. (The longer a pet has been missing, the more difficult it is to follow a trail. Two – three days is the ideal maximum “age” for a trail—and even then, nothing can be guaranteed. It is possible to follow a trail for up to two weeks, if the weather and other conditions are right, but it gets harder and harder. If it has been longer than two weeks, it still might be possible to trail the pet if it is still in the area, “laying fresh trails.” Please see Missing Pet Partnership for more on Ethics in using Search Dogs in missing pet searches.)
Anubis is a certified Cat Detection dog. He will search for any cat (or other critter) in an area. It’s not necessary to have a specific scent to find a cat. Cat-searches are done yard-by yard, house-by house in a methodical fashion, based on PLS (point last seen) and the Search Strategy analysis.
A search can take from 30 minutes to 2–3 days or more. DON’T WAIT! The less time a pet has been missing, the better chance your pet is going to be found quickly.
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