Volunteer Tail: Kat Albrecht

While she was working as a search dog handler for a small police department in central California, Kat Albrecht’s bloodhound, A.J., escaped out of the backyard and went missing. Panicked, she asked a friend to use her search dog to find A.J. If these dogs could locate people, why couldn’t they find other dogs, she thought. A.J. was discovered within 20 minutes.

The experience of finding her lost pet using another animal inspired her to test the idea more closely. Six months after the A.J. incident (in 1996), Albrecht began experimenting with training dogs to find lost pets.

Fast forward to 2002: Albrecht's experiences with training animals to find lost pets led to the creation of the Missing Pet Partnership (MPP), a Seattle-based non-profit organization dedicated to searching for missing pets. The organization has worked diligently to improve the way lost fur kids are found.

Currently, MPP is focusing on forming partnerships with animal shelters because that’s where people go to find their pets. By training the shelter volunteers in lost pet procedures, they have a better chance of reuniting owners with their pets and ultimately cutting down on the number of animals euthanized.

Albrecht's Work: Imparting Helpful Advice for the Everyday Pet Owner

Through years of research, study, and trial-and-error, Albrecht has developed a host of successful methods, many of which use police techniques, to help everyday pet owners find their missing pets. A “search” dog isn’t always needed, but a basic knowledge of how pets react helps.

“You need to understand that dogs and cats behave differently,” says Albrecht. “Dogs are usually picked up by somebody; outside cats are most likely injured or sick, and inside cats typically hide.”

Additionally, Albrect suggests to take the following steps if your pet winds up lost:

• Look on Craigslist under both “Pets” and “Lost + Found.” That’s where non-pet people will most likely post “found” pets.
• Make giant neon posters and place them at major intersections near where your pet went missing. Keep the message brief.
• Tag your car – write your lost dog message on the rear window of your car. NEOMarkers made by Neoplex hold up the best in rain.
• Conduct an “Intersection Alert.” This is much like the politicians you see waving signs as you drive by only your signs say “Lost Dog” or “Lost Cat.”

Albrecht's Challenge to Readers

Albrecht challenges readers to help each other improve the way we search for our pets, paying it forward by spreading the message about Missing Pet Partnership and the best practices for lost pet retrieval.

“The next time you see a lost dog or lost cat flyer that was created on a 8 ½” x 11” piece of white paper, pull over, call the phone number, and encourage the pet owner to go to the Missing Pet Partnership's website," says Albrecht. "This way, you'll help them to find the proper way to create giant neon posters that grab the attention of drivers, and in turn increase the owner’s chance of recovering their lost pet.”

You can also “paw it forward” by making a donation of $25 or more to support the Missing Pet Partnership, says Albrecht, and assist with the non-profit's vision to help reunite lost pets in all communities.

Petside.com is donating $500 to Missing Pet Partnership as a big "Thanks!" to Kat Albrecht.