• Check thoroughly around your home and the immediate area, especially garages or sheds where your pet could be trapped.
  
  
• Look carefully under decks or porches, in hedges and around bushes. Your cat, kitten, bunny or small dog might have been frightened by a loud noise, large dog, children or an unknown person.
  
  
• Look up - look waaaaaay up! Your bird may be perched in the treetops, and cats or kittens will climb trees when frightened - or just for fun. (See the Special tips for birds page if you've lost a bird.)
  
  
• Call or visit your neighbours. Be sure to ask them about outbuildings (garden sheds, garages etc.) It's best to check yourself if possible, since your pet may hide from other people.
  
  
• Similarly, check any parkland or open space nearby. Check streets, sidewalks and alleys in case your pet has been hit by a car.
  
  
• While searching, call your pet's name - then stop and listen carefully for an answering woof, mew, tweet or rustle. Check likely places often since your pet may be moving from place to place.
  
  

Next: London animal shelters »

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