Lost Your Pet? Start Here.

The Golden Rules

✅ DO

• Act quickly but stay calm
• Use scent, cameras, and controlled setups
• Collect sightings only (location + time)
• Expand your search gradually
• Ask for help when the situation becomes overwhelming

❌ DO NOT

• Chase your pet
• Run toward them
• Shout, clap, whistle, or repeatedly call their name
• Encourage strangers to approach or feed your pet
• Create crowds or high-energy search parties

Calming Methods When Your Pet Is in Sight

This moment matters more than anything else.

If you see your pet, do not rush. Even loving, well-trained pets can flee when approached too quickly—especially after time outdoors.

First: Regulate Yourself

Your pet reads your body before your voice.

• Stop moving
• Take a slow breath
• Lower your shoulders
• Relax your hands
• Remind yourself: slow is fast

Body Positioning

Turn your body sideways, not head-on

Avoid direct eye contact

• Bend knees slightly
• If safe, sit or crouch slowly

Move sideways or backwards, never forward quickly

Voice & Sound

Stay quiet at first

• If you speak, use a low, calm, familiar tone

Say their name once, softly

Do not:

Call repeatedly

• Clap
• Whistle
• Yell or cry loudly
• Movement Rules

Move slowly—painfully slowly

Pause often

• Let your pet close the distance
• If they stop, you stop

If they step away, you stay still

Hands & Leash Safety

Do not reach suddenly

• Keep hands low and still
• Let the leash hang quietly
• Secure calmly—no grabbing or lunging
• Read Their Signals

Good signs:

Soft ears

• Curiosity
• Sniffing
• Slow approach
• Stress signs (slow down):

Stiff body

• Whale eye
• Lip licking/yawning
• Freezing
• If stress appears, pause and give space.

If Your Pet Walks Away

Do not follow

• Do not call
• Do not pursue
• Backing off calmly often keeps them close and returning.

Timeline: What To Do and When

The First 5 Minutes

1. Confirm they are truly gone

• Check closets, garages, sheds, crawl spaces, under porches.

1. Gather essentials

• Recent photo, leash/harness, flashlight, phone charger.

1. Quiet search

• Walk the immediate area calmly.
• Listen more than you speak.

If your pet does not come immediately, stop calling and move to setup mode.

Minutes 5–30: Notify & Secure

Notify immediate neighbors

Tell them:

• Your pet is missing
• Do not chase
• Please report sightings only (location + time)

Ask neighbors to:

• Check garages/sheds
• Secure gates
• Keep their own pets contained

First 1–3 Hours: Build a Safe Return Plan

Create a scent “home base”

This is where your pet can return safely.

For dogs:

• Dog bed or blanket
• Your worn clothing
• Water bowl
• Food placed strategically

For cats:

• Covered shelter
• Familiar bedding
• Food and water
• Humane live trap (recommended)

Live Traps (Very Important)

Cats

We recommend trapping for lost cats.
Cats often hide silently and avoid even familiar people.

• Use a humane live trap
• Cover trap to reduce stress
• Monitor closely

Dogs

Dogs require the right trap for the dog and the situation.

Not all traps are appropriate

• Improper trapping can increase fear
• Professional guidance is often needed
• You may:

Borrow a trap

• Purchase from a local feed or farm store
• Reach out to experienced rescue teams

Brody’s Halo Assistance – Shining Light Animal Rescue

At Shining Light Animal Rescue (SLAR), we assist with lost pet recovery when resources allow.

We have:

• Live traps from kitten-size to large 8ft x 8ft enclosures
• Trail cameras
• Field recovery experience

Because rescue is our primary mission, lost pet assistance depends on:

• Available time
• Volunteers
• Donations

Submit a request for help here:

👉 https://www.shininglightanimalrescue.org/request-brody-s-halo-assistance