New Release: HASS Lost Pet Reunification Findings Collection
Ah, the 4th of July. Hot dogs, sparklers, and… a chaotic influx of runaway pets. Shelters nationwide are already bracing for one of the busiest lost pet seasons of the year. But what if you could hand your community a superpower to help get those pets home in a flash? (Cape not included.)
We are beyond excited to spark some change by dropping the HASS Lost Pet Reunification Findings Collection. For the first time ever, we’ve compiled over five years of animal-level data across multiple projects into a single master collection. It gives you everything in one place, helping you build a data-backed case for your community initiatives without having to sift through lists of HASS projects, studies, or data!
Part One of a Dynamite Five-Part Series
Consider this the season premiere of the series. Over the coming months, we’re rolling out three more dedicated HASS Findings Collections:
- Supported Self-Rehoming
- Intake-to-Placement
- Pet Support Services
For the grand finale, a fifth post will connect the dots across all four pathways, serving up a comprehensive master resource.
Turn Data Into Action Before the Fireworks Start!
Data is only as useful as what you do with it. The Lost Pet Reunification Findings Collection is packed with “aha!” moments your organization can use right now to supercharge your holiday marketing.
Here are four standout stats you can use to upgrade your messaging and keep pets out of the shelter system:
- Microchips are Magic: Pets with microchips are three times more likely to find their way home. Yet, only 18% of pets enter the shelters with a chip. What better reason to start planning a microchip clinic before the holiday!!
- Tag, You’re It: In one HASS shelter, less than 1% of found pets had any form of physical ID. Remind your community that a basic, old-school collar and tag is still the key to a fast-pass home.
- There’s No Place Like (Close To) Home: When a pet pulls a vanishing act, families often assume they are miles away. The reality? 69% of reunited pets are found less than 1 mile from home, and 13% haven’t even made it off the block. Plus, 74% of finders live in the exact same zip code. Tell finders to search the neighborhood for the owner before heading to the shelter.
- Unleash the “Friendly Finders”: Did you know 88% of surveyed community members said they’d happily foster a lost pet if the shelter simply asked and offered a little support? Ask your community to host a holiday sleepover for friendly found pets rather than immediately bringing them to a busy shelter.
Ready to Light the Fuse?
Grab the full Lost Pet Reunification Findings Collection to explore our cross-project deep dive into field services, shelter ops, and finder behavior. By sharing these insights, you empower neighbors to be heroes and reunite families faster this 4th of July.
Stay tuned for our next release on Supported Self-Rehoming!
For programmatic guidance on Lost Pet Reunification initiatives, check out the full suite of toolkits featured in the HASS Resource Center and the HASS Playbook.
