FAQ

Explore Our Frequently Asked Questions

What does a "pet detective" do exactly?

Each pet detective is different, but basically the best pet detectives will assess all the clues on what happened to your lost pet, then determine probabilities and strategies to get your lost pet found. the best Pet detectives are trained using the same tracking and search techniques used in the world of missing persons search & rescue.



Will a pet detective guarantee to find my lost pet?

If a pet detective guarantees they will find your missing pet, they are probably out for top dollar rewards as a bounty hunter as opposed to working as an ethical pet detective doing their job of search & rescue. Like with other animal rescue services based on time or energy like groomers, pet sitters and vets, pro pet finders need to be paid for their time and use of certified search protocol to help you find your pet.



How do I find the best pet detective near me?

Look for a pet detective who specializes in either lost dogs or lost cats. You can Google "pet detective near me" for a map, or find a lost pet finder who works nationally. Once you find a certified lost pet finder, ask to see their "lost pets found" testimonials on missing pets they found directly, not as a result of posters. Ask how many "walk-up finds" they average a year. Ask for references from at least two of their clients from the six months. Here are a few pet detectives who pay to be listed but there are others who are trained and certified with Missing Animal Response who are not listed on this national pet detectives network. https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/mar-directory/?wpbdp_view=all_listings



How much do pet detectives and lost pet finders charge as of 2020?

The average rate for a pet detective in the US is between $150 and $1200 for a typical 3-hour search. Rates can vary depending on e pet detective's experience and success rate. Pet detectives with lost pet search dogs, trailing dogs or tracking dogs (AKA "sniffer dogs") sometimes charge more although their success rates are no higher than experienced pet detectives with proper training and equipment.



Can you come help me find my lost pet?

YES, depending on where you live. If you'd like professional help in finding your lost cat in person, contact the Lost Cat Finder to check in-person availability in these 35 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky Louisiana · Michigan · Mississippi · Montana · Nevada New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina North Dakota · Ohio · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee Texas · Utah * Virginia · Washington · West Virginia and Wyoming​​. Lost Cat Finder services are also available in Canada, England, Spain, France, Italy and Africa.



How far do lost cats go?

A missing cat can be as close as your closet or as far as another state. A pet detective is trained to assess your cat's personality profile, situation and home terrain to determine the distance and most likley area the cat is lost or hiding/trapped.



My cat has been lost two weeks. is it too late to find my cat?

No. Two weeks is well within the average time a lost cat will hide before they emerge and start being seen, so don't give up on your missing cat so soon! Make sure you have the word out so when your cat does start appearing in public, people know it is YOUR lost cat and how to reach you.



Did a coyote kill my missing cat?

Probably not. Even in cases of coyote sightings within the same yard of a missing cat, pet detectives have still recovered the lost cat unharmed as long as the owner has not left food or a litter box outside which can draw coyotes closer than they might usually come and into the area your lost or escaped indoor cat is hiding.



What happened to the "Missing Pet Partnership"?

Missing Pet Partnership was a non-profit organization founded by Kat Albrecht to help educate shelters and pet owners to find their missing pets. She nobly made MPP a non profit so it would continue long after she was gone. Albrecht was a police officer and K9 Bloodhound handler who brought missing persons protocol and police procedurals to lost pet recovery work. Missing Pet Partnership under pioneered many techniques on "How to find a lost pet" and Kat was the first person to train dogs to find lost pets. The original name of Missing Pet Partnership was the Lost-A-Pet Foundation, which is now Mission Reunite with a new focus on offering lost pet tips and consulting to animal rescue groups and shelters. Kat Albrecht left Missing Pet Partnership in 2017 to start MARN, the Missing Animal Response Network to train pet detectives and offer virtual lost pet search dog training.The MARN page includes a Pet Detective Directory for certified pet detectives who pay for listings.



What is the best way to find a missing cat?

It depends upon whether the cat is indoor only or outside access, the cat's personality and surrounding terrain, even the weather when lost. The only scientific study on the best way to find a lost cat was done in Queensland Australia with collaboration from Missing Pet Partnership and Danielle Robinson of Lost Pet Research & Recovery. Here is a link to the article focused on the various Search Methods Used to Locate Missing Cats and Locations Where Missing Cats Are Found - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789300/



How do you find a lost indoor cat compared to missing outside cat?

Search methods for lost indoor cats are a little different than trying to find a missing outdoor cat, but the key is still an analysis of their personality first in order to predicts their lost cat behavior. There are two pet detectives trained in missing cat profiling, one of which is the Lost Cat Finder, also linked with the Austin pet Detective page and another Missing Pet Partnership grad Miss Mundy. Once the cat's predicted behavior is determined the strategy to find them is more refined and successful. In both lost cat cases, it helps to have a professional pet finder guide you so you don't waste precious hours and can focus on exactly the right techniques for your inside or outside cat. The average percentage for both inside and outside cat recoveries combined by the Lost Cat Finder is combined is an 86% success rate.