With emotions that can run high when one has a lost pet, or one is about to meet someone that may have found their pet, it is hard to think straight!

Our Missouri Lost & Found Paws team wants to remind you to of the following guidelines in meeting strangers:

• ALWAYS leverage the Safe Zone meeting spots located throughout our communities. These are great places to meet up with strangers, people you don’t know otherwise.
• Do not provide your personal details such as home address.  Inviting a stranger to your home is not a safe practice.  Use the Safe Zones located throughout our communities.
• Regardless of whether you are the owner of the lost pet, or the finder, *always* take someone with you. Never meet someone alone.  If you do not have any options to utilize, send the meeting details to a close friend.  Let your friend know what time you are meeting, where you are meeting (exact address), name of the other party, any contact details for the other party such as phone number, social media profile (screenshots), vehicle description, etc.
• Do not get in a vehicle with an unknown person.
• Always make sure your cell phone has a full charge.  Take your cell phone with you.
• If you are meeting in the evening hours, meet in a well lit, public spot.  Use the Safety Zones available throughout our communities.  Avoid meeting late at night.  Both parties would be better off meeting in the morning 🙂
• Trust your instincts!

Remember to take a leash with you!  If you are the finder, grab a leash. Ensure the collar is fastened on the snug side, rather than loose, so the dog cannot bolt. Sometimes it is possible that the pet is not a match for who you are meeting.  Remember to ask for proof of ownership.

While there are many good people in this world, there is a bad seed here and there.  Your safety DOES matter.