Local Rescues to Host Lost Animals Workshop

By Katie McFadden

It seems as if more pets are getting loose recently and going missing or being found by strangers. To help people understand what to do to help a lost animal, Zion’s Mission and Sasha’s Mission, with local rescuers that bring decades of experience in rescuing animals, are providing a workshop to educate others in Helping Lost Animals 101.

On Sunday, January 11 at 12 p.m., Zion’s and Sasha’s are holding the Helping Lost Animals 101 workshop at the Arverne East Nature Preserve (190 Beach 44th Street).

“We’re teaming up to give this workshop because there’s been an alarming increase in animals, especially dogs, being lost or abandoned across the peninsula. Rescues are packed and overextended, but also people get confused on what to do if they find a stray animal or lost animal, or even how to find their own companion,” Maribel Cosme-Vitagliani of Zion’s Mission said. “So we’re going to be teaching people what to do when they lose their companion, if you find a dog tied to something like a fence or pole, how to approach a scared animal, how to look for a microchip, how to search for tracks, how to use a trap or a slip lead to contain an animal, give resources on who to contact when you lose or find an animal to raise visibility and awareness. Basically, we want to arm our community with the best resources and tips to help them and the animals.”

Cosme-Vitagliani says having that knowledge is power and can lead to pets being located quicker and easier. “Most lost pets are found within 24-72 hours, if people know what to do. But without knowing what to do, they tend to chase, call out loudly which can scare the animal further away from their home. It also prevents animals from going into a rescue or ACC, which is what we call upstream intervention.”

As there can be unexpected costs in locating lost animals, from buying traps or hiring trackers or paid professional services, the workshop on January 11 is being offered for free. “We want to empower people that they can do this too. During a crisis, many people believe ‘I’m not a rescuer, I don’t know what to do or have the skills,’ but in fact, anyone can learn this, and anyone can help a scared, abandoned or lost animal. Rescuers aren’t the gatekeepers for that knowledge, and in the long run, it helps us help them more when the community is actively involved with animal welfare,” Cosme-Vitagliani said.

Due to the Arverne East Nature Preserve community center being at limited capacity of 30 people, the rescues are asking folks to reserve their free tickets on Eventbrite.com (search “Helping Lost Animals 101: A Free Community Workshop”) or scan the QR code or check out Zion’s Mission Animal Rescue on social media for a link. Those who make the workshop will be able to participate in a raffle for prizes.

For those who can’t make it, Cosme-Vitagliani hopes to record the hour-long session and post it to Zion’s Mission’s social media accounts so that the knowledge can be spread near and far. “Education is one of the most effective, ethical, and affordable ways to save animals before they ever need rescuing,” she said.