Current Poll
| Website reunites locals with lost pets |
 |
 |
 |
| News | |||
| Written by Jesse Trimble | |||
| Wednesday, 23 June 2010 08:00 | |||
|
Whether when we’re children or adults, many of us have experienced the trauma that comes with knowing your family pet is lost. It’s a helpless feeling and one that may leave us not knowing where to turn. Olive’s Hope, a pet rescue organization serving the Miami County area, decided to do something about this in the hopes of reuniting families with their lost loved ones before it’s too late. Many are aware of the nonprofit organization, but not so many are aware it also has a separate website people can visit when separated from their dog or cat. The site, www.miamicountylostdogs.com, has been up and running for about three to four years now, Sharon Woodrum, one of the founders of Olive’s Hope, said. Although the site has seen little activity over time, Woodrum said the site itself pays off for those who utilize it and Claudia Beverlin of Paola can attest to that. Beverlin is often greeted by several of her dogs each night when the family gets ready for bed. She said it’s sort of like they are “checking in” before everyone hits the sack. But one evening two of her four-legged friends weren’t there to greet her. “I was frantic,” she said. When Beverlin used to live in the city, she knew immediately who to contact and where to go, but after moving just west of Paola she wasn’t sure where to go about lost dogs. “Before I knew about the site, I called the sheriff’s office, notified the vet and put ads in the paper,” she said. “I was really glad to find that website and the pictures help, too.” When vistors come to the site they immediately see a listing of the pets that have been lost, found and reunited. Woodrum said even if someone comes across a lost dog or cat, which happens often in the rural areas of the county, they can put a post on the site in case the owner checks it. She added that before posts go live online, they are approved by administrators with Olive’s Hope to ensure no scams are occurring. Once a listing is approved, Olive’s Hope contacts the listing poster to see what condition the animal is in, and, if it’s a dog or cat that’s been found by someone else, if they want to watch the animal or have Olive’s Hope come and get it. The posting is also then listed on the Olive’s Hope Facebook and Twitter accounts, so anyone following them can see what dogs have been found immediately. “We created this as nothing more than a community service,” Woodrum said. “I think it has most definitely helped. Quite a few dogs have been reunited with their owners and people like the idea that you can go on there as soon as they lose the dog and let people know.” On the site links are also provided for other animal shelters and veterinary clinics in the area that visitors can contact. Luckily for Beverlin her two pups showed up the following day. With spring storms having already arrived, she said her dogs, Pia and Big Red, probably got turned around out in the woods with the strong winds. But the website definitely eased her nerves and she added she would use it again if needed and recommend it to others. Woodrum agreed and said the Internet is a powerful tool. “I just love the fact that we can get the word out there so quickly,” she said. “The longer a dog is gone the less chance it has to get reunited. These are family pets, owners become distraught because it’s a member of their family and the site immediately gives them the opportunity to tell others and get tips.”
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 200 Trackback(0)
Comments (0)
 Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
