How a Lost Pet App Can Help You Find Your Furry Friends

Key takeaways

There are plenty of apps out there designed to make finding your furry friend easier.

We explore what an app can offer you, the benefits of this method, and how PetRadar can increase the chances of finding your pet.

Find out how pet alerts, social media, and helpful expert advice can make a stressful situation easier.

Quick Navigation

  1. Key takeaways
  2. How an app can help you find lost pets
  3. Why use a lost pet finder?
  4. FAQs
  5. Final thoughts

How an app can help you find lost pets

Losing a pet can be one of the most stressful things a person can experience. They're a part of the family, after all.
We can often find ourselves feeling useless and hopeless, not knowing what steps to take to find them. This is why there are apps out there, like local lost pets Facebook groups and Pet Alert USA, to help you through the tricky times and improve the chances of you reuniting with your furry friend.
This is why we created PetRadar. It's a simple idea to utilize social media platforms to increase local awareness by reaching thousands of people in your area and notifying them about your lost pet.
PetRadar's expert team sat with dogs

Spreading the message

One of the most important aspects of finding a lost pet is to let as many people know as possible. The more local members of the community that are aware and on the lookout, the more likely you are to find them.
We use social media advertisements to do just that. By creating a digital missing pet poster and distributing it as a sponsored post on Facebook and Instagram, we can alert over 4000 of your neighbors about your best bud.
When they're scrolling on their feeds, your pet's picture, description, and info will pop up as an ad. From here, they can report a sighting, send it to a friend, or save it for later.

One of the most important aspects of finding a lost pet is to let as many people know as possible.

Photo of a lost dog on a phone ready to post on social media
You can select the radius of your search, so if you've got an adventurous lost dog, you can increase the amount of people you reach. Or, if you're trying to find a timid lost cat, you can just reach people in the immediate area.
Our app provides a personal dashboard where you can:

Monitor the search

Keep track of reported sightings

Increase the search radius

This makes it super easy to feel in control of your efforts and follow up on leads.

Guidance and support

One of the hardest things about losing a pet is feeling like you are alone. It's likely you've never experienced this before, so it's natural not to know what to do.
This is why we provide constant guidance and support throughout the whole process. As well as having a dedicated section on your personal dashboard that offers suggested articles that we think will help you, we also send an update on the progress of the search, along with tips and advice, every 12 hours.
You'll feel as if you've got a whole team behind you rooting for your furry friend to come home safely.
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We also have a team of pet lovers ready to chat with you at any point if you feel you need more support from us.
Reunited cat owner holding their cat

Downloadable posters for missing pets

While we all know missing pet posters are an important part of finding lost animals, it can be very time consuming. Instead of sitting at a laptop and trying to design a flyer and print it, we want to be out looking for our pets.
You may have never designed something like this before or have experience with the tools you need to use to create them. This can all waste precious time, which is why we send every single customer our expertly designed, free, downloadable missing pet poster.
It includes:

An image of your pet

A description

The location where they were last seen

A unique QR code

PetRadar's free printable missing pet poster
But what about contact details? Well, at PetRadar, we've seen our fair share of distressed pet owners complaining of prank calls and misuse of their personal information.
This is why we use a unique QR code for every poster. This means that passers-by can simply scan the code, which will take them to your pet listing on our website. Here, they can report a sighting or comment any important information. All without access to any private details.

Why use a lost pet finder?

Many owners may question whether using a lost pet finder is worth it. After all, no app can guarantee finding your furry friend. However, the benefits can make a stressful situation a lot easier to handle.

Reassurance

When your pet goes missing, you can seek help and advice from friends and family. However, sometimes we may feel awkward. After all, everyone is busy with their own lives, and we don't want to feel like a burden.
Sometimes, all you need is a bit of reassurance. Lost pet apps can do just that. They can remind you that you are doing all you can to find your best bud and that you are not a bad pet owner.
🤓
Expert Insight: This reassurance can help clear our heads and allow us to think practically and proactively about the search rather than feel hopeless and overwhelmed.
Owner sat with their cat looking out the window

Improves your chances of finding your lost pet

One of the most important benefits of using an app is that it will increase your chances of finding your loved one.
Reaching thousands of people directly on social media, rather than waiting and hoping that a passer-by might take notice of your poster, will increase the chances of someone reporting a sighting that leads you to your pet.
Alongside this, the resources that you will have access to can make your search more effective.
A dog owner comforting their dog

Expert advice

There is a lot of misinformation out there and just a lot of information in general. This in itself can be overwhelming and can cloud your judgment.
The alternative is clear, actionable advice from experts. Not only is this a lot easier to digest, but it can genuinely increase your chances of finding lost pets.

FAQs

What is the best app for finding lost pets?

PetRadar is the best app for finding lost pets. It has already reunited over 8,000 missing pets with their owners by using social media advertising to reach thousands of neighbors and spread the message about your lost pet.

Is there an app to find missing cats?

Yes, there is an app to find missing cats. PetRadar uses sponsored posts on Facebook and Instagram to reach thousands of neighbors and notify them about your lost cat.

Do lost pet signs work?

Yes, lost pet signs do work at spreading the message of your lost pet to as many neighbors as possible. From these signs, people in the area can report sightings and start searching for your furry friend.

What to do if I lost my pet?

If you've lost your pet, you should report them missing to local animal shelters, vets, and their microchip company. Then, you should start a physical search and use a lost pet app like PetRadar to spread the message to as many people as possible.

How can I track my lost cat?

To track your lost cat, you can use a GPS tracking device fitted to their collar. However, if you don't have this, you can track them through reported sightings. Spread the message to thousands of neighbors using a lost pet app and then monitor the comments.

What are the chances of finding a lost pet?

The chances of finding a lost pet depend on the type of animal they are. 70% of lost cats are found, and over 90% of lost dogs are found. This means you've got a good chance of finding your furry friend again!

How can I track my pet?

You can track your pet by using a GPS tracking device that attaches to their collar. Or you can use a lost pet app like PetRadar and track them using reported sightings by your neighbors.

Final thoughts

It can be difficult to know whether to invest in lost pet apps. However, it will increase your chances of finding your furry friend. And knowing you're doing all you can can make the process easier.
If your pet is currently lost, don't give up hope. Our service will make sure people nearby in your local area will know about your missing pet.
Start a PetRadar search, and we'll guide you through the process, making sure no stone is left unturned.

Written by

Image of the author
Lauren Jeffries

In this blog, I combine my two areas of expertise: pets and writing. I share my personal experiences alongside plenty of animal behavior research to help owners look after their pets. I have always lived with furry friends and am now a loving cat mum to two orange kitties.

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