Many owners looking for a lost pet ask why I still recommend using Craigslist Austin Pets when there are so many Facebook groups now for lost and found pets.
Yes, I know Craigslist can be fraught with scammers and people who might try to take advantage of a bad situation, but there is one very good reason to still use Craigslsit.
Becasue whether in Austin or elsewhere in the country, when the typical person finds a pet and look up "lost pets near me" they are going to check CRAIGSLIST first to see if anyone has reported the pet missing.
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Craigslist for Austin Lost Pets is key. |
The finder is likely to check Craigslist first -- and may not check it a second time.
So get that LOST PET photo up immediately so if your pet is found, their picture and your contact info is THERE and ready for the finder to see and call.
You see, Facebook lost pet groups and Pawboost pages are about 90% made up of people who have posted their own lost pets over the years. Most drift away after the pet is found so the big numbers are misleading.
PAWBOOST
As of 2020, Pawboost is basically showing your cat's post to other pet owners with lost pets at the moment who are already on Pawboost. They post your pet on their Pawboost page: so the chances of a person who finds your cat aware of or intentionally checking Pawboost or other social media companies who make millions by guilting owners into paying to "boost" a picture are not on the radar of the average Joe. They get your email address after luring you in with a "free poster" and like many sites who make their fortunes by giving away something free, they will capture your email address and bug you until you pay them for their "Most Popular Plan."
FREE...at first.
Even if you buy a plan, there is more upsell on the way. Most of the people who are seeing the photos they post are the other people who have paid them to post or "boost" lost pets over the years. This is how they can claim such a large "rescue squad" It's all the people who have lost pets in the past and given them their email adress.
Basically, their "rescue squad" is their former clients.
I am not saying you should not use social media. It has helped get many pets found, especially dogs. I am just saying do not rely on it or the false sense that it is some magic tool reaching as many eyeballs as they claim.
BOTTOM LINE:
Everyone knows about Craigslist, and it's the first place most check when they find a lost pet.
Make sure your lost pet is posted there.
NOTE if anyone claims to have found your lost cat or dog, DEMAND a photo immediately. And it probably goes without saying but when you have a lost pet, never never give out your home address.
These days the Craigslist for Austin pets and cities all over the country can get jammed full of other companies advertising more ways to get money from pet owners for posting "amber alerts." Just know they are violating community guidelines and clogging up space where actual lost pets should be posted and seen.
Nothing replaces knowledge when it comes to lost pet behavior, especially for a cat search.
This is why I do what I do. Teaching people the actual methods designed for cats -- not dogs -- is what gets them found.
In my opinion, Finding Rover and Pawboost are possibly designed for dogs who roam where people see them and can get a photo and get concerned.
Cats keep their cool. Lost stressed cats rarely roam around greeting people out in the open and even when they do, most people do not think twice or get concerned unless the cat is near starvation and crying for help. on't let it get to that point.
Please I beg you, if you have a lost cat, post their photo on the Austin Craigslst for lost pets!
Then post on your Next-door.
Then call me or visit lostcatfinder.com for the most efficient use of your next three hours.
I will step you through how to Search smart in those first 48 hours. I will show you how to make use of the techniques I've developed over the 9 years I've found cats full time.
And I will celebrate with you when your cat is found, even when Pawboost takes the credit.
Kim Freeman
Lost Cat Search & Rescue
www.LostCatFinder.com
"the Pet Detective for Cats"
