Pet expert reveals the one thing you shouldn’t do when your furry friend goes missing

Pet expert reveals the one thing you shouldn’t do when your furry friend goes missing The expert advises dog owners to go against their instincts and not trawl the streets looking for their pet if they suddenly disappear A pet microchipping expert has revealed the one thing you should never do when your furry friend runs off - and it’s a common mistake. Indy Sangha, CEO of Pet Database, which helps thousands of people reunite with their missing pets every year, said dog owners often make the mistake of leaving the spot where theirs vanished. Pet owners should actually stay close by, as dogs will typically try to return to the place where they were last seen, or they’ll look to head back to the car or home if they were out on a nearby walk. However, cat owners should instead focus on checking nearby hiding spots, letting their neighbours know and leaving items with familiar scents like bedding or food outside, instead of assuming their pet has wandered far away. If you happen to find a lost animal, you should safely contain them, check for any ID tags, and contact a local vet or animal charity so they can check their microchip to help reunite them with their owner. This advice comes after a poll of 2,000 cat and dog owners found 67 per cent said their biggest fear is losing their four-legged friend, yet 17 per cent say they would be unsure of the first steps to take if they went missing. Nearly nine in 10 pet owners (88 per cent) said losing a pet would feel like losing a family member. The research was commissioned by Pet Database, which teamed up with TV presenter Chris Hughes to launch the ‘Microchip Shop’ on the Brighton seafront to help raise awareness of the importance of microchipping your pets. Indy Sangha, founder of the company, said: “Acting quickly can make all the difference when a beloved pet goes missing. “Microchipping your pet is only half the battle, it’s important to keep your contact details up to date so you can easily be reached and reunited if your pet goes missing. “Reporting the loss will instantly flag your pet as missing and ensure you can be contacted by whoever finds them. “Calling local vets and pet wardens can also help with a speedy and safe return of your furry friend.” The study also found owners pay out an average £1,522 to secure the safe return of their pet home. Despite this, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) admitted they’ve delayed important pet admin, like updating microchip details, until it was too late. When asked which actions should be taken within the first few hours after discovering they’ve gone missing, exactly three quarters said search the immediate local area, 74 per cent would ask their neighbours to check gardens and 51 per cent opted for taking to social media to alert their local community. A door or gate being left open was believed to be the main situation in which animals go missing (53 per cent), followed by chasing wildlife (43 per cent) and fireworks, thunder or loud noises (43 per cent). A further 43 per cent said their pet going missing is what worries them the most compared to their phone or wallet being taken (13 per cent). Almost three in 10 (28 per cent) worry about their companion going missing at least weekly, according to the OnePoll figures. The Microchip Shop event aims to rally a community-wide search for missing pets, with fish and chips being served in newsprint featuring local lost pet listings and scannable QR codes to help bring lost animals home. Indy Sangha added: “When our pets go missing, we often go into a blind panic, but it’s important to remember the things to avoid doing. “If your dog goes walkabout, avoid having groups of strangers out searching, calling, making noise and confusing scents. “Or if you see them, do not call, chase or try to grab and catch your pet, as this might spook them - staying calm, still and quiet is the best thing you can do. “Our cats require a slightly different approach.” Top 10 things people do when their pet goes missing: - Search the immediate local area thoroughly - Ask neighbours to check gardens, sheds and garages - Mark the pet as missing with its microchip database - Share recent photos and details online - Contact local vets - Contact animal charities/rescue organisations - Put familiar bedding or scents outside the home - Search areas several miles away immediately - Assume the pet will return on its own - Wait 24 hours before taking any action