FARGO - Animals are getting lost by the dozen around the metro.
Police and animal shelters say there's simple ways to keep your furry friends from running off for good.
At the F/M animal hospital, Moorhead Police will take any stray animals it finds, but there are a few surprisingly simple and cheap steps you can take to bring them back.
As the seasons change, man's best friend may become man's lost friend.
"I'd say about 65 percent of our animals come from the pound as strays," said Heather Clyde of Homeward Animal Shelter, "We do see more lost animals in the spring and summer."
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Whether the nicer weather means more leash-less walks, or indoor cats venturing out, shelters say they see more strays come springtime.
The Moorhead Police Department says it's picked up 20 strays the first two months of the year.
Thanks to shelters in the area, most will find a new home and avoid being put down.
"It's been a hundred percent the first two months we've been able to either return the dog and cat or we've been able to adopt it," said Moorhead Police Lt. Tory Jacobson.
Police say simply licensing your critter can mean the difference between Fluffy going home or finding a new one.
"For someone to be responsible enough to care for and love their animal, we'd ask they'd take this precaution," said Jacobson.
Other simple proactivity can help you reunite with a missing pet.
"Most don't come in with identification. They don't have collars on or tags on, or the tags aren't updated," said Clyde.
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Updated tags costs $5, and microchipping your animal, as little as $20.
"It's not hard at all. You just need to be willing to go and do that type of thing to keep your animal's information updated," said Clyde.
Above all, shelters say the most important thing is being quick if you want man's lost friend to be man's found friend.
If your animal is lost in city limits, it may be a relief to hear Moorhead Animal Control found homes for 94 percent of animals it found last year.
Licenses are required for all dogs and cats in the metro, and costs between $5 and $10 per year.
