Happy 20th Anniversary to SOS-SRF!

In 1998, when a few of the original Sibernet members decided to try their hand at fund raising for Siberians in need, they could never have dreamed where their little organization would be in 20 years. It all started with an idea to spin Siberian fur into yarn (siberwool) and auction off the resulting products.

Twenty years later this "little" group has granted well over $250,000 to help huskies in need AND has helped their 600th dog!

No one ever thought that the dreams of a few would materialize into such a wonderful organization where rescue groups can find financial help for their hard luck cases. Save Our Siberians--Siberspace Rescue Fund has 501(c)3 status, making contributions tax deductible. Our volunteer board receives no compensation for their work; it's truly an organization that benefits Siberians in need. Since our inception we have helped 600 dogs (have a chance at finding) find their way into loving adoptive homes by making the medical treatment they needed possible. Treating all manner of ills, such as dogs that were hit by a car, suffered from owner neglect, were heartworm positive (check out the Julie Moreland Fund), emergency surgeries, and more. 

Won't you help us celebrate our 20th Anniversary by using the PayPal link and making a donation of $20 or more? So many more Siberians are waiting for help - together we can make it possible!

 

Lost! Siberian Husky!

ID Tags that do the job, from top left: ID tag provided by the Rescue, to always remain on the dog--has Rescue contact info; home-made Shrinky-Dink plastic tag; stainless steel hanging tag (this one is 18 yrs old); ID "wallet" style ID (open velcro closure to see "wallet" ID card); stainless steel slotted style collar tag--guaranteed not to fall off.

Many pet owners are familiar with that sick feeling in the pit of the stomach because a pet has gone missing. Siberians, our lovable, born runaways, are not uncommon for causing that feeling.

Be pro-active before it happens:

• First and foremost, your dog should always wear ID. Check tags frequently to make sure they are readable with current information on them. One of the rescues I used to foster for had a bulk supply of consectutively numbered tags made up that included the rescue's phone number. The adoption contract required that the rescue tag was always worn by the dog. Through the years, several runaways were reunited with their adopters via these tags.

• I always encouraged adopters to come prepared with an ID tag for their new dog. I didn't want any adopted dog to leave my yard without new owner ID. If the adopter came without one, then I used “Shrinky Dink” plastic and made one while they waited. This is cheap, easy to do, and will last for a few months.

• Microchip every dog, and register the chip. Keep the rescue as the “first person to contact” on the registration information. Keep all information current, and add a second or third contact number.

He's gone! Now what? Driving around and/or putting a message on social media is not enough:

• Get the word out as fast as possible. If your area has a “lost and found pets” Facebook page, put your ad there, using all the information provided in the pinned post at the top of the page. For ALL social media "lost pet" ads, be sure to include your city and state. These ads are shared widely. Help others to help you by making the pertinent information easy to find. Include a good, recent, colored photo.                                                       
• Start looking! Don't assume the dog is stolen or “will come back for dinner.” Canvass your neighborhood and a good 2-mile radius.                                                                                                                                     
• Use neon-colored poster board and affix a large, clear picture of your pet with simple text: LOST DOG, and a phone number to contact. Step away and make sure someone driving by can read your sign. Post these at road junctions within your 2-mile radius and anywhere people gather, such as parks and businesses. Wave the sign at intersections during rush hour.                                                                                                  
• Print off your poster at quarter-sheet size and add the cross streets of where the dog was lost. “Frog tape” one to the door or garage door of each house within your 2-mile radius, starting from the center (or hand one to the occupant if they are home). Enlist friends and family to help with this. Flag down delivery vehicles, mail carriers, school bus drivers and give them each one. Notify veterinary offices. Thus, you will have many eyes looking for your dog.

• Have someone stay at home to welcome (and capture) your dog if it should return home.

• Call your local shelter and file a “lost pet” report. Go to the shelter and actually look at the dogs there. The front office may not know what is in the back kennels; many breeds look similar and may be misidentified.

• Put ads on Craigslist.org, your local newspaper, and Nickel Ads if such is available. Many of these offer free “lost and found” ads. Make a Facebook page for your lost dog.

• If you get a phone call that your dog was seen some hours ago, travel to that location right away. If you have other dogs, take one along to lure the missing one in.

• If some days have passed, renew your signs. If you are getting calls saying your dog has been seen, add the words “Please take a picture” to your Lost Dog signs. So many people have phones with cameras...a quick snapshot may confirm (or not) that the dog seen is your dog.

When the dog is found:

• Recognize that a lost dog will be wary, and probably will not readily come to its owner. Take stinky treats, get down to eye level, and expect to be patient. Extremely shy dogs may need to be trapped. Humane Societies usually have live traps that can be rented or borrowed.

• Remove your Lost Dog posters—don't let them become litter.

• Post a notice on social media sites, remove your Craigslist ad.

• Beef up your security! Repair fences, put locks on gates, get that dog chipped if it isn't already.

• Hug your dog and thank your lucky stars. You both got lucky this time!