Old and New Ways to Find Lost Animals

Contributed by SPCA Tampa Bay

9099 130th Avenue North
Largo, FL 33773

727-586-3591

In December 2009 alone, Melissa Gray, the Lost and Found Coordinator of SPCA Tampa Bay, was instrumental in reuniting 18 lost animals with their families by acting as the middleperson between those who lost and those who found animals. Additionally, 35 animals (five cats, 29 dogs and one pig) who came into the shelter as strays were reunited with their people. Between July 1 and December 31, 2009, SPCA Tampa Bay took in 4,647 animals, returning 222 of these animals to their families.

How It Works

Melissa, uses both “old school” print media and “new school” technology to produce results. Her work contributes to both RTO and reducing intake because many of the matches made don’t step a paw in the shelter.

"Old school" methods consist of a diligent daily routine that keeps her well informed about the status of lost, found, and stray animals. The routine includes:

• Taking photos of every stray (Melissa estimates that stray intake is approximately 10% of the organization’s overall intake. Stray intake may range from 1 to 15 strays on a given day.)
• Checking a print copy of the local newspaper’s ads and Craigslist (multiple times) against lost and found reports
• Providing information in person, via email or phone call to those who have a lost animal about where to look for lost animals
• Providing information to those who found an animal about where to post information about the animal

Melissa posts information about impounded strays every day on Craigslist. Posts include pictures of impounded stray animals and information about reclaiming the animals. Because of time constraints, she isn’t able to post on other sites used in the community. However, she provides information to pet owners about posting lost reports and searching found reports on these sites. In the Tampa Bay area, the local sheriff’s office also maintains a lost and found pet list.

Melissa highly recommends enlisting one person to check the strays in holding against the lost reports that come in so that no animals get “lost in the shuffle.” Staff members or trained volunteers who have significant involvement with the lost and found department can fill in when needed.