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According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), nearly two to four pets are being reported as missing every single day. But the good news is, over 75 percent of lost dogs eventually find their way home.

According to Anna Cabrera, executive director of PAWS, there are two main reasons why dogs leave their homes namely: food drive and sex drive.

She claims, “A female dog who is in heat will seek out its mate. While the male dog who was able to whiff the scent of the female dog will try to find her.”

But if you've ever had a pet go missing, you know how incredibly upsetting it can be for every member of the family.

In order to cut down your search time, here are six steps to take if ever your pet goes missing:

1. Make and post flyers

Put up flyers with your dog's picture, your phone number, and information about where your dog was last seen. Give a good enough description of your pet so that he can be recognized, but hold back at least one characteristic that you can use to verify if that it's your actual dog.

2. Visit your local animal shelters

File a lost pet report in your local barangay, city pound, or pet shelter within a 60-mile radius of your home and visit them daily, or as often as possible.

3. Walk and drive through your neighborhood

Recruit family members and friends and walk through the area where your pet was last seen. While you're out, talk to neighbors and passers-by and let them know you're desperate to find your pet.

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4. Leave their favorite food outside your home

In case your dog finds its way back home, consider leaving some of it outside and have a humane trap ready that will hold your pet until you can recover her.

5. Don't give up

Be aggressive and try using social media as a way to help you find your dog. For their part, dogs are very resilient and resourceful so you're sure they can survive on their own for much longer than you might imagine.

6. Practice self-care

It's very easy to lose sleep, skip meals, and leave normal routines behind when a pet is missing. To the best of your ability, try to take care of yourself and always think positive thoughts.

A pet - even an indoor pet - has a better chance of being returned if it always wears a collar and an ID tag with your name, address, and telephone number.

So never, ever give up. We're sure that your baby will find its way home in no time.

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