You know your pet best. So, if he or she suddenly doesn’t turn up like clockwork for a meal - assume he is lost and act immediately.

A Poodle named Jack was lost for only a few minutes when his owners realised he was gone. They quickly started asking neighbours, searching up and down the street.

Fortunately, neighbours had seen the little dog running up the road which led to a lifestyle block. After several hours searching the very large property, Jack was found stuck down a bank covered in mud.

Their quick action meant they were able to get those important leads and move in the right direction to find him.

Finding a lost pet requires a determined combination of intensive search and intensive marketing. Put your best resources in right at the start.

If it’s a work day, take the day off work. The first day is the most intense. You need every minute to focus on the search, get initial flyers out and pop a lost pet listing up.

The chances of success are simply much higher, when you act when the trail is hot. You may well find your pet on the first day! But if don’t, know that the ground work done on that first day is vital. Pets are often found after time (day, weeks, months and longer). The important thing is to plan and take action.