Keeping Track of Sightings: Your Key to Reuniting Pets with Their Owners

When a pet goes missing, every sighting counts. Whether it’s a quick glimpse across the street, a photo sent by a neighbor, or an update from a community group, each piece of information helps build a bigger picture of where your pet may be. Keeping track of sightings systematically can drastically improve your chances of a successful reunion. If your pet is in survival mode, they may not come to you, so sightings allow you to track their movements and provides the information and time you need to put a plan in place. Here’s how to do it effectively.

1. Document Every Sighting

Even if a sighting seems minor or uncertain, record it. Include:

• Date and time – Be as precise as possible.

• Location – Include cross streets, landmarks, or GPS coordinates if possible.

• Direction heading – Note the direction or where sighting was lost.

• Behavior observed – Is the pet running, hiding, or interacting with people or other animals?

A single note in your head isn’t enough. Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or Google maps to keep a running log.

2. Track Sightings Using Google Maps (Highly Recommended)

Google Maps is one of the best tools for visualizing a missing pet’s movements. Here’s how to use it effectively:

Create a Custom “Missing Pet” Map

• Go to Google Maps (https://google.com/maps).

• Click Saved.

• Click New List

• Title it something like: “[Pet’s Name] Sightings – December 2025”

  
  

Add a Marker for Each Sighting

For every sighting you receive:

• Drop a pin at the exact location.

• Label the pin with date, time, and brief details.

  
  

Share the Map with Your Team Only

Google Maps allows you to privately share the link with trusted helpers (rescuers, volunteers, TRAPS, etc.). Avoid sharing it publicly to prevent crowding, which can push a pet deeper into hiding.

Why Google Maps Helps

• Makes patterns visible faster

• Helps differentiate between real and false sightings

• Prevents duplicate searching in the same spots

• Shows how far the pet is traveling

• Helps determine ideal feeding station and trap placement

• Keeps everyone on the same page

  
  

A visual map often reveals the “home base” a pet has settled into, something that’s hard to recognize from text notes alone.

3. If Not Using Google, Use a Consistent Format

Creating a standard template for sightings makes it easier to see patterns. Consistency ensures that no detail is overlooked when you or others review the data.

4. Collect Supporting Evidence

If possible, gather photos or videos of each sighting. Even blurry images can help confirm that it’s the correct pet. Screenshots of social media posts, text messages, or app notifications can also serve as valuable evidence. Oftentimes, people only catch a glimpse, or their memory doesn't remember the details correctly. Getting photos is the easiest way to confirm which pet they saw.

Orange Cat #1

Orange Cat #2

Orange Cat #3

5. Share Sightings Strategically

Be cautious about sharing exact locations publicly if your pet is shy or fearful, as this could make them harder to trap or approach safely. If you are working with TRAPS you will need to send all sightings as soon as you get them, even if they're not verified.

6. Look for Patterns

As you log sightings, patterns may emerge:

• Favorite hiding spots or routes

• Times of day the pet is most active

• Proximity to food sources or shelters

These insights can guide feeding stations, trap placement, and search efforts.

Bottom Line: Keeping a careful, organized record of sightings isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Each logged sighting is a clue, and the more clues you have, the better your chance of safely reuniting a lost pet with their family.