by Julie Wenger Watson
Every “missing pet” flier represents a heartbroken human and an anxious animal. While many lost pets are ultimately returned to their homes, others aren’t as fortunate. In order to increase the odds of a happy reunion, Tulsa Animal Services launched a free, interactive online Lost Pet Map that allows individuals to search for animals that were recently impounded, report lost pets, or connect with people who may have found a lost pet.
The map shows information from the last 90 days and updates daily, using blue dots to represent pets currently housed at the TAS shelter and red paw prints to represent pets reported missing by their owners. Clicking on the blue or red icons pulls up more information about each animal.
People who come across a lost pet can use the map to help locate its owner. They can then reach out to the owner directly through the provided contact information or call TAS to help them with the next steps.
TAS Director Sherri Carrier is excited to have this new tool. She believes it’s particularly useful because it facilitates the return of pets directly to their owners without entering the shelter system, easing both the burden on TAS and the animals’ stress.
“We’re trying to reunite families and not have so many animals coming into our facility that don’t really need to be there,” she says.
Earlier last year, TAS partnered with the Tulsa Fire Department on another initiative to help lost pets reunite with their families while avoiding an unnecessary trip to the shelter, a program previously featured in TulsaPets. Through a grant from the Best Friends Animal Society, every Tulsa Fire Station was equipped with a handheld pet microchip scanner, giving residents a quick and easy way to check for a microchip on a found pet. Firefighters can help scan the animal. If a chip is found, they can provide information about how to contact the microchip company to reconnect the pet with its owner.
To learn more about TAS, including these services and volunteer opportunities, visit cityoftulsa.org/TAS.
How to Use the Lost Pet Database
Blue dots — Animals at the shelter (updated throughout the day)
Red dots — Lost pets reported by owners
Default view — Shows the last two weeks of data
To adjust — Use the filter icons (truck & dog) to change the date range
Found a lost pet? Contact the owner directly using their listed phone number
Prevention
- Teach your pet “come” and “stay.” These basic commands help keep your pet from darting through an unlocked door or gate.
- Use tech for identification and tracking. In addition to your pet’s regular ID tags, microchips, a GPS-enabled pet collar or Apple AirTag collar are useful tools for keeping tabs on your animal.
- Use a leash and harness. If your pet is a collar-escape artist, a properly fitted leash and harness prevents escapes during walks.
- Secure your yard. Ensure your yard is safe for your pet and inspect it regularly for any possible escape routes.
