The Law of Unintended Consequences--Lost Pet Emergency Results in Big Win for Delaware Statewide Lost and Found Pet Registry!

As I returned from a vacation that never began on Christmas Day, I had a lump in my throat the size of a basketball.  My best friend, my beloved family member, Rudy the Dachshund was lost by the pet sitter!  I knew I had to return home to try to find him, but how?  What do I do to find him?  Who do I call?

As I returned home the pet sitter was unsure of what had occurred after she and her entourage` chased him across a 4 lane highway into a shopping center.  She didn't know the direction in which he was headed after he was chased into oncoming traffic creating a two car accident by drivers trying to avoid hitting Rudy.  No eyewitness help!

My panicked and desperate first response was to call the emergency 911 number.  I was advised that there was only one place in the entire state of Delaware to call regarding lost pets.  That agency, the Kent County SPCA was 45 minutes and one county away.  I called the 24 hour line and filed a lost report.  When asked for advice about what to do next, I was told that was all that I could do.  I also called several of the 24 hour veterinarians and the Department of Transportation in the event that he might have been possibly picked him up as a victim of the accident.

My husband and I spent Christmas night physically doing a search for Rudy.  I spent the remainder of the night searching the Internet to research what to do next and to learn what I could about lost dog behaviors.  I placed an online ad on Craigslist, and came up with a plan.  I created posters (I am not artistic.)  I registered Rudy on every national lost pet registry that I could find on the internet.  I also established a personal Facebook page and started a Facebook community page for Rudy.

The next morning we sprang into action.  My husband returned to the last presumed area of sighting; a wooded area near the scene of the car accident.  I went to the local printer and purchased flyers to hang in stores, apartment complexes, on poles and to distribute to those that I encountered along the way.  Several friends were also printing flyers and searching the area to help look for Rudy.

We made personal physical contact with the local shelters to file lost reports.  I must admit that the initial response was, "all lost reports go to Kent County SPCA."  Are you kidding me?  Some animal shelters don't take lost reports?  One agency had an office under renovation.  Although open, they weren't willing to post a flyer on the wall or on the bulletin board that was dismantled and leaning against the wall.  After much discussion at some agencies,  lost reports were taken and filed; flyers were posted.  Lost reports were also filed with every veterinarian in the county.

Two days later and 200 flyers down, no Rudy, no sightings of Rudy.  Back to the printer for more flyers.  We continued circulating flyers in stores, apartment complexes, bus depots.

Several weeks later, we obtained several sightings and a report of a lone, small dog barking in the wooded area behind the area where he went missing.  Again, my husband went to the woods to search.  We knew that we needed help; boots on the ground.   When I called the lone Animal Control agency, my request for assistance was declined.  I called my New Castle County Councilman, Tim Sheldon and complained.  After all, I have been a tax-payer in the county for 35 years and I never requested any services; now I need services and I'm declined!  Tim and his assistant Stephanie sprung into action.  Before the day was out, we had several Animal Control officers walking the woods with my husband.  Tim also promoted Rudy Awareness by communicating with his fellow County Councilman, Dave Tackett.  Rudy lives in Tim's district, but was (still is wandering in Dave's district.  These two gentlemen took Rudy information and flyers with them to every civic association meeting; they posted him on their Facebook pages.

Ultimately, County Councilman Tim Sheldon referred me to Senator Karen Peterson and to State Representative Michael Ramone to assist me with some issues and concerns that were beyond his jurisdiction.  Another big win for Delaware animals!  Both of these legislators are strong, effective leaders in our state and they were willing to listen and to open doors where they could to help Rudy and other lost pets.  They too were stumping for Rudy at local civic association meetings and via their newsletters. 

Rudy was receiving help from local legislators.  However, the cracks in the system seemed to be exposed as canyons.  Daily we were running at mach 1 with our hair on fire in order to try to keep Rudy from falling through the cracks of a very broken system.  All too soon we learned that seemingly there were as many cracks in the Delaware Animal Welfare system as there are services provided.  More importantly the legislators were learning the same thing.

In August 2012, Senator Karen Peterson invited me to participate in the Animal Welfare Taskforce meetings.  This task force was co-sponsored with Senator Patricia Blevins for the purpose of discussing the many animal management/services/control issues in the State of Delaware.  I accepted her invitation to attend; it was an invitation that would change my life and the lives of lost animals throughout the state forever.  My mission began as a search for Rudy.  The loss of my beloved family member, the resultant awareness of the many cracks in the system was a personal epiphany.  Rudy has rocked my world; his loss turned it upside down.  Little did I know that he was about to rock the world of many lost pets in the State of Delaware.

I listened intently at that first meeting as legislators and local animal advocates discussed their concerns about flaws in the system.  There was no mention of the glaring lack of services for lost pets and their families.  So, without further ado, I made an impromptu plea to the taskforce.  It was my first of many empassioned pleas to the Animal Welfare Taskforce to help to find a way to support these lost animals and to prevent them from permanently falling through the cracks of the current system.

I attended monthly taskforce meetings from August 2012 through March 2013.  Although, I felt certain that my message had been heard.  I knew that I would need to "bring it home" in a very strong way.  I prepared one final statement; a cry for help for all lost animals.  I prepared informational folders for each committee member; including a written copy of my plea for a statewide Lost and Found Pet Registry and of course I included Rudy's informational business card with a picture and contact information.

In late April, the Delaware Animal Welfare Taskforce submitted it's final recommendations.  The statewide Lost and Found Pet Registry remained in the top 5!  In late May, the Joint Finance Committe of the State of Delaware approved funding for an Office of Animal Welfare which would address all animal issues including the formation and maintenance of a pet Lost and Found Database.  My emotional cup runneth over.  My soul smiled for the first time in 17 months; I wept tears of joy.    Awareness of Rudy, has helped to change the course for Delaware's lost pets.  The loss and continued search for my dear Rudy has not been in vain; he is a hero to all lost pets present and future.  He has rocked our world; now he's rocking Delaware's pet world.

Please continue to follow and share Rudy @ www.facebook.com/bringrudyhome.

Download the movie