Notify the Council if Your Pet is Missing

The Gold Coast City Council has an online register for you to register your lost pet. You will need your pets Registration Number or Microchip number to use the service. Registers | City of Gold Coast .
If you can’t find your pet on the register, contact the Council pound:
Call 07 5581 7600 (Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm)

Other ways to search for your lost pet

Contact the following to report your pet missing
1. RSPCA – 1300 264 624.
2. Animal Welfare League – (07) 5581 7600.
3. Local Veterinarians.
4. Post a message on Social Media (Gold Coast Lost & Found Pets Facebook page) or local community pages that will allow.
5. Distribute leaflets in your neighbourhood or go door-to-door to inform your neighbours, so they can help keep an eye out for your missing pet.

How to Ensure Your Pet is Properly Identified and Returned Home Safely

Losing a pet is every pet owner’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence in Australia. According to the RSPCA, thousands of dogs and cats are lost or found roaming each year, with many never making it back to their owners. The good news is there are several effective steps you can take to properly identify your pet and significantly increase their chances of being returned home if they ever go missing.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you ensure your pet has the best chance of being reunited with you.

1. Microchipping: A Must for Every Pet
Microchipping is the single most effective way to identify a lost pet.

What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under your pet’s skin. Each chip carries a unique identification number that can be read by a scanner at veterinary clinics, shelters, and council facilities. This ID number is linked to your contact details in a pet registry database.

Why is it important?
If your pet gets lost and is taken to the Council, Vet or Shelter, they can scan the microchip, access your contact information, and reach out to you. Without a microchip, it can be much harder to prove ownership or contact the rightful owner.

Is microchipping mandatory?
In most states in Australia, microchipping is mandatory for dogs and cats. For instance, in Queensland, all dogs and cats must be microchipped before they are sold or given away, and it’s compulsory to microchip puppies and kittens by 12 weeks of age.

Important Tip:
Ensure that your contact details in the microchip registry are always up to date. If you move house or change your phone number, remember to update your pet’s details on the registry database.

2. Identification Tags: A Simple but Effective Solution

While microchips are vital, your pet should also wear an identification tag on their collar. This is a visible and immediate way for anyone who finds your pet to contact you.

What to include on an ID tag:

– Your pet’s name.
– Your phone number (or two contact numbers if possible).
– Any urgent medical conditions (e.g., “I’m diabetic” or “Need daily medication”).

Why ID tags are effective:
If your pet is found by someone in the neighbourhood, they can easily call you using the number on the tag without needing to take the animal to the Council, Vet or Shelter for scanning. It’s a quick and simple way to reunite pets with their owners.
Important Tip:
Ensure your pet’s collar is properly fitted—loose enough to be comfortable but not so loose that it can slip off and put it straight back on after a bath! Breakaway collars are a great option for cats to avoid injury.

3. Council Registration
In Australia, it’s a legal requirement for all dogs to be registered with your local council. In some areas, cat registration is also mandatory. Registering your pet with the council gives them another layer of identification if they go missing.

How does registration work?
When you register your pet with the council, they provide you with a registration tag that should be worn on your pet’s collar. The tag will have an identification number that links back to your details in the council’s database.
Why is it important?
If your pet is found by council officers or taken to a shelter, the council registration can quickly help locate your contact information, ensuring a faster reunion. Council registration also proves ownership, making it easier to claim your pet if there’s any dispute.

4. Keep Recent Photos of Your Pet
In the unfortunate event your pet does go missing, having recent photos on hand can greatly assist in the search effort. Photos allow you to create posters, share on social media, and provide a visual reference for people helping to look for your pet.
What photos to keep:
– Clear, close-up photos of your pet’s face and body.
– Photos that highlight unique features, such as unusual markings, or distinct colours.
– Photos of your pet with you to prove ownership.

5. Social Media and Online Networks

If your pet goes missing, social media can be a powerful tool in spreading the word quickly. There are several lost pet groups on platforms like Facebook dedicated to helping reunite pets with their owners.
What to include in a social media post:
– A recent photo of your pet.
– Where and when your pet was last seen.
– Contact information for people to reach you.
– Any other distinguishing features that will help others identify your pet.

6. Desexing Your Pet

While desexing may not seem like an identification step, it plays a key role in reducing wandering behaviour, particularly in male dogs and cats. Desexed pets are less likely to roam, which decreases the chances of them getting lost.

Final Thoughts

Ensuring your pet is properly identified with a microchip, ID tag, and registration can significantly increase their chances of being returned to you if they ever get lost. By taking these proactive steps, you give your pet the best possible chance of finding their way home safely.
Remember, keeping your pet’s information up-to-date and being prepared with recent photos can make all the difference in a stressful situation.

Injured Animals – RSPCA
If the stray appears sick or injured, contact the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) for advice. Veterinary practices can provide pain relief (if necessary), but the RSPCA is specifically equipped to handle injured animals and will assess all factors to determine the best course of action for the animal’s well-being.