Missouri Lost & Found Paws is a 501c-3 non-profit organization sponsored by All Paws Rescue, LLC. Missouri Lost & Found Paws uses social media to reunite lost and found pets.
We began on August 31, 2011 as a humble effort with one goal in mind: reuniting lost and found pets within the greater St Louis metropolitan area. We started by creating a Facebook group page, St Louis, Missouri Lost & Found Paws. Social media has proven to be a very powerful tool for getting lost and found animals back to their owners. However, social media cannot work alone in all cases. Our volunteers reach out to owners of lost pets and those who have found pets to help them understand the overwhelming situation of where to begin. Our volunteers share tips and tricks which include:
- Steps to get the word out about lost pets
- Online tools for searching shelter animals
- Checking shelters in person for lost pets
- Notifying local rescue groups of lost pets
- Safe use of Craigslist for lost and found animals
- Provide assistance to pet owners who have a lost pet
- Provide assistance to those who have found a lost pet
- Maintain positive relationships thru networking with shelter employees, shelter volunteers, animal welfare volunteers, and pet-related business owners to notify them of lost and found pets in the area
- and much more
We also educate owners on topics such as:
- Importance of microchipping pets and keeping contact information up to date
- Tips for pet safety at home
- Products in the marketplace for even the most ornery pet :)
Our group of volunteers and supporters has grown steadily over the last three years. In June, 2013, we started the Facebook group page, Rolla, Missouri Lost & Found Paws. As we grow the supporters in each group, we see the direct impact of the number of reunited pets.
In January, 2014, we started the Missouri Lost & Found Paws Facebook fan page. Missouri Lost & Found Paws serves as the parent organization for St Louis and Rolla. We have albums for the animals who have been reunited, those who remain missing, those who were sent to shelters or rescue groups and for those who have passed onto the Rainbow Bridge.
We strongly believe that for every animal we help reunite, that is one less pet sitting in a shelter for X number of days, who then in turn becomes at risk for euthanasia due to overpopulated shelters. The act of euthanizing animals at the shelter is not a shelter problem. It is a societal problem. Please do not blame the shelters for euthanizing animals. Unfortunately our communities have a pandemic problem.
- Unwanted animals, known as owner surrenders
- Found animals
As Missing Pet Partnership says so eloquently, "Think lost, not stray".
When pets get lost, it is most often due to an accidental nature, not purposeful. To get a lost pet home, it takes dedication on the owner's part, but it also takes a community stepping in to help the owner in a very overwhelming task to search. We know that one person can make a difference in the life of one animal. Can you imagine the impact we can have if we work together as a community to help one another?
You can also follow my efforts on our blog, Missouri Lost & Found Paws. Please share this email with your fellow rescue and animal-loving friends across Missouri.
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