Lost and found. The Kootenai Humane Society plays a critical role in helping reunite pets with their owners.
<p>A vet holds a micro-chip identity tag which can be inserted under the skin of a dog or cat's neck, August 3. The British government announced radical changes to its strict quarantine laws today when it outlined plans to allow pets with micro-chips and passports to travel freely to and from certain European Union countries. **DIGITAL IMAGE** - RTXJ4EV</p>
Lost and found.
Lost and found.
The beloved family pet is gone. What next?
Many people look all over their neighborhood. They can turn to social media to spread the word about their missing dog or cat. Or they contact their local animal shelters, hoping for the best.
“Of course call us,” said Vicky Nelson, development director at the Kootenai Humane Society. “We will list your lost pet in our lost and found book so if someone calls who has found them, we will get in touch with you. You can also post a photo of your lost pet in our lobby. Dozens of people are in our shelter every day. You never know when someone might spot them.”
Reunions do happen. The Kootenai Humane Society took in 509 lost or abandoned animals last year. Of those, 328 animals were returned to their owners and 181 were adopted to new homes.
“Losing a pet is a very traumatic experience not only for you, but the animal,” Nelson said. “All of a sudden they are unfamiliar with their surroundings. New smells and sights can frighten them. Strangers may appear as a danger to them.
“It’s up to you to protect their safety with microchipping or a collar and identification tags.”
Kootenai Humane Society is offering a special deal on microchipping animals through the end of the month. People can get their animal microchipped for only $15 until Feb. 29. Normally the Humane Society charges $35 per animal.
“It’s pain free for the animal,” said Nelson. “And you will have the peace of mind that if your animal is picked up by animal control, it will be returned to you.”
You can reach KHS at (208) 772-4019.
The Kootenai Humane Society is an independent nonprofit animal shelter with a “No kill” policy. It has limited space and resources. The shelter is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Visit www.kootenaihumanesociety.com for more information.
Marc Stewart is Director of Sponsored Content for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached at mstewart@cdapress.com or 208-664-8176, ext. 2011.