Check the county facilities "in person" every 24-72 hours. By law, the county shelter is only required to hold a lost or stray animal for 72 hours; after that time, the animal becomes the county's property (The Arizona Humane Society is a non-profit animal shelter and is not affiliated with the county shelter). The law requires that healthy, uninjured stray dogs aged 4 months and older be taken to the county shelter. Bring a photo of your pet and his or her veterinary records.

Leave a flyer about your lost pet at the shelters, but it's important to go to the shelters to look for your pet in person so that you can identify if your pet is there. Many times someone will call the shelters and describe their pet but so many pets can look alike.

Call local veterinary offices/emergency clinics.
Walk the neighborhood with a friend or family member.

Go door-to-door where your pet was last seen, talking to everyone (including postal carriers, paper carriers, school crossing guards and children). Carry a picture of your pet.

Bring a powerful flashlight when looking for your pet even during the day, as you're sure to find yourself peering into dark spaces such as garages, trash bins, crawl spaces, etc. If injured, your dog or cat or other kind of pet is likely to hide in a dark space.

Make noise as you walk around the neighborhood. Did you know your pet's ears will perk up at the sound of your voice from a long distance? Just remember to stop often and listen for your pet's reply. Have everyone in the family call the pet's name. Bring your pet's favorite squeaky toy and use it. Take a box of your pet's favorite treats and rattle it loudly while calling his/her name. Make any other noise that your pet knows.

Post flyers within a one-mile radius of where your pet was lost. You see them all the time on street corners. And yes, flyers and posters produce more results when searching for a lost pet than anything else. Before you post, make sure to get permission from the proper authorities. Use 8 1/2 by 11 fluorescent paper to attract the most attention. Include an easy-to-read title such as "LOST DOG" or "LOST CAT." List the date and place your pet was lost. Include a short, simple description of your pet (i.e. male cat, black fur, green eyes), but withhold several identifying marks so you can verify that a person truly has your pet. If possible, try to include a color photo of your pet.

Offer a reward if you wish, but do not specify an amount. Be aware of pet scams! Never send money before you have your pet back. Some scams include "Your pet is at an animal hospital. Just send me $200 to pay the bill and I'll bring your pet to you" or "I found your pet while I was driving through Phoenix, but now I'm in Tucson. Send me $100 for gas money and I'll drive her back to you."

For your own security, never put your name nor your address on the flyer. Make flyers with your pets photo and give a written description of your pet with your phone number to leave with residents or on the door (for your safety, never leave your name or your address). Post flyers at waist level on telephone poles. Post flyers eye level in places such as veterinary offices, pet shops, barber/beauty shops, grocery stores, community and school bulletin boards, churches, convenience stores, near schools, laundromats, etc. Check your posted flyers often and replace missing or damaged ones. Place strongly-scented items outside your home.

Just like his hearing, your pet's sense of smell can help him find his way. Here are few ideas of what can serve as a beacon for your lost pal: A pair of your old gym socks or shirt Your pet’s bedding and/or favorite toys Foods with a strong odor such as tuna, sardines or other savory meat your pet enjoys (Be sure to protect the food so other animals won't eat it!)

Visit locations of County Animal Care and Control facilities "In Person", quickly and often!

Call local rescue organizations (They tend to network with each other and can pass the word about your pet.) Use pet-friendly resources to spread the word about your lost pet. There are plenty of resources out there that specialize in reuniting lost pets with their families. Try the following:

Register your lost pet with:

petFinder.com
File a report by phone with Missing Mutts (and Cats): 480-898-8914
Check for Lost Pets on Petharbor.com
Check both the "Pets" section and "Lost&Found" section on Craigslist
Check under where it says "Community" look under both "Pets" and "Lost/Found"sections every single day!!!. Check "All" Craigslist posts, many have pictures of pets both lost and found! Include pictures and as much description as possible for both "Found Pets" and "Lost Pets" is Extremely Helpful to those wanting to help you find your missing pet.

Run a "Lost Pet" ad in the newspaper and community publications. Some will let you place the ad for free. Also be sure to search the "Found" section of these publications as well!

Check with your local and state Department of Transportation (DOT) You may not want to think it, but the hard truth is that a lot of pets are hit and killed by automobiles while on the loose. Both local and state DOTs can help you determine if they have picked up the body of your pet.

Protect Your Pets Now Losing a pet can happen to any of us. The best way to protect your pet is to ensure he always has current ID and is Microchipped.. And if your four-legged friend is determined to break free, there are some things you can do to make the reunion a lot quicker...like the following:

Spay/neuter your pets. It's not just about population. Pets tend to run off if they're in heat or they sense another animal in heat. Keep fence gates securely locked. Pet-proof your fence. When they're really tenacious, pets will find creative escape routes! Never allow your pets to roam free in the neighborhood. Remember, cats should always stay indoors. Make sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag that has your current phone number on it. Always transport your cat in a carrier. All it takes is a car backfiring down the road or some other loud noise, and your cat will bolt for the nearest hiding place! Cats also tend to hide and stay put when frightened in a strange place. Always transport your dog with a leash. If he's not in your home or a fence yard, grab the leash! Keep updated photos of your pet. Be sure to get close ups of your furry star so you'll have detailed photos of your one-of-a-kind pal. Consider a microchip. Sure, it's a little sci-fi, but pets can lose collars and tags when on the run. Microchips are a positive and reliable way to ID your pet. Consider a prevalent brand, as animal shelters and veterinary offices can scan stray animals for this ID device. Tattoo your pet. They're hip for humans, but if done correctly, tattoos can provide positive identification for your pet. Just remember, the best place for your pet is on the inner thigh.

Here is some more information Concerning Organizations who offer HELP for Sick or Injured Pets.

These organizations offer help for sick & injured pets who are in need of veterinary care & who's owners are having trouble financially.
(Please keep this great info & it pass along to anyone who could benefit from it!)

American Animal Hospital Association, AAHA Helping Pets Fund
The heartbreak happens all too often, a pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook. Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same, when sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship.

Angels 4 Animals
Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need.

Care Credit
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. "CareCredit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.

Corgi Aid

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
"The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion." The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

HandicappedPets.com
From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford.

Help-A-Pet
Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion.

IMOM
Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.

Labrador Lifeline

The Pet Fund
The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost.

United Animal Nations
The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care.

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