A lost pet makes your family sad

Keep your pets safe with a pet license and microchip.

Pets are members of your family, and losing one can be a frightening experience. A new program that posts photos of found pets within 24 hours and even gives licensed pets a free ride home is offered by the KC Pet Project in partnership with the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Residents who lose a pet can go to http://kcpetproject.org/lost-pets/ to fill out a lost pet report and view the list of found pets at KC Pet Project, located at 4400 Raytown Road.

Of course, it's easier to be reunited with a pet that has proper identification. Residents can take advantage of a package deal that provides a rabies vaccination and tag, a City pet license and a microchip — all for $30. The deal is a joint initiative called Project T.L.C. offered by the City and the local nonprofit Spay & Neuter Kansas City, which runs a low cost spay/neuter clinic at 1116 E. 59th St. (see http://snkc.net/spay-neuter-information/calendar/for hours of operation).

The KC Pet Project, operating the City's animal shelter, receives more than 9,000 lost or abandoned animals each year. Many of these animals are owned pets, but do not have a City license, rabies tag or microchip to help identify their owner. In addition to the Spay & Neuter organization, the shelter can microchip pets for $25 each, and sell one-year pet licenses (including tags) for $12 and three-year pet licenses (including tags) for $29. Or, you may license your pet online at www.petdata.com. Many veterinarians also sell pet licenses, tags and microchips.

All funds generated from City pet license sales support improved care and treatment of animals at KC Pet Project. Licensed pets may receive discounted fees if taken to the shelter, and are not ticketed if caught running at large.