Facebook group gives lost pets a way home

By April Lawrence.

BELLEVILLE (25/10/12) Marlene Mackenzie introduces the photographer to her recently returned cat Daisy who was missing for a month. Photo by April Lawrence.

The traffic on Bleecker Avenue suddenly became a bigger concern for Marlene MacKenzie two weeks ago.

A mix of the sounds of birds, dogs and cats with cars driving by recently made the fear of not seeing her cat again a big concern.

Mackenzie, who works at Bay Regional Veterinary Hospital, started a search for her cat Daisy on October 12 when she went missing from her home on Bleecker Avenue.  Hoping to find Daisy quickly, Mackenzie posted to Quinte’s Lost Dog Network, a Facebook page designed to help owners find their lost pets.

Despite its name, the network has been used to find cats, horses, birds or any lost animals as well as dogs.

“Her name is Daisy and she is a medium dark torti (black with “mottled” orange), shorthaired, spayed, very slim cat,” MacKenzie posted to the network. “We miss her heaps and hope someone knows where she might be.”

MacKenzie was happy to find out that after posting on the network, a few people she knew had re-posted her information on their own Facebook walls. The information about Daisy could be viewed by not only the 1,759 members of the network but now all the friends of the people that re-posted her information.

“I think that it’s great that you can get it out to so many so quickly,” said Mackenzie.

Daisy returned home on her own a week after she went missing. MacKenzie had been preparing to support her posts to the network and other social media groups with posters around the neighbourhood when she returned. MacKenzie said she would definitely post to the network again if another pet went missing again because of how fast it spreads information and how helpful and dedicated the people involved in the network are.

Some involved in the network even took the time to drive around the area to see if they could find Daisy.

Quinte’s Lost Dog Network was founded by Jennifer Nicholls in March 2011 after she saw a similar network running online in Nova Scotia.  Thinking it was a good idea for the Quinte region, Nicholls created her own Lost Dog Network page.

“I found there were a lot of strays in the area so I thought it would help,” said Nicholls.

Nicholls also volunteers at the Quinte Humane Society every day. She does her best to post photos and information for the animals that are found, like where they were found and what breed they are. Members of the group can also post their own photos and information if their pet is missing.

The network covers a large area, posting information about lost pets from Brighton and Marmora and all the way to Bancroft. When the pets are lost in the Quinte region, Nicholls tries to get out and drive by some of the areas where she knows a pet has been lost. She said that other members of the network do the same.

Within 24 hours a lot of people can know that a pet is missing, she said. She is hopeful that with the network more animals can be found before they end up at the shelter.