by Native Gemini

Created on: August 08, 2009

It is an excellent idea to take good clear photographs, including close-ups, of your pet beforehand. Do this immediately and file them away so you will be prepared in the case your pet ever goes missing. Another task you should undertake immediately is to record as many tiny details about your pet as you can and file the information away with the photos. Important details to include are things like: freckles, spots or other marks and different colored toenails or paw pads. This information makes your solid black Lab identifiable when next to other solid black Labs. Make sure your pet is always wearing ID tags with basic information and a phone number. If the pet is able to have a rabies vaccination, make sure to get one and keep the rabies tag on the animals collar/halter/harness alongside the ID tag.

When you are creating a lost pet flyer the photos and detailed pet information comes in very handy and increases your chances of locating your lost pet. First, always use a clear full color close up photo of your pet. Affix the photo to the upper half of the flyer leaving room underneath for a few clear simple lines about the missing companion. If the photo is on the upper half it will be at eye level and a clear color photo sticks in the minds of passers-by.

Next, you should print clearly and simply a few facts about the missing pet. Some good information to consider would be the pet's name, type of collar or other items the pet may have been wearing and a tip or suggestion that would help someone catch the dog for you (ex. Fido comes to "Treat, Treat"). Other important facts to include are phones numbers where you can easily be reached and reward offers. One important key to remember is to keep the flyer clean, direct and easy to read or look at. Try not to crowd too much information in too small a space.

Finally, it may also be quite beneficial to include, on the very bottom of your flyer, a piece of paper with many little cuts made vertically. Those little cuts will create many little tabs along the bottom edge of your flyer. You can write something on each tab such as 'Lost White Poodle' along with your phone number. Passers-by can tear off a tab and, later, be reminded of the picture on your flyer. Other optional ideas for a missing pet flyer could include laminating the flyer to weatherproof it and distributing it in key areas like shelters, vet clinics, boarding facilities and grooming businesses.

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