Pawsitive ending for lost dog Daisy
After 143 days on the lam, Daisy the dog is safe at home. Daisy and a canine companion got loose when a meter reader left a gate open at their house in Stayner in early October. The other dog came home on his own, but Daisy was loving the taste of freedom. Owner Collin Pavelin posted a message on Facebook, which caught the attention of the people at Pawsitive Ground Search (PGS).
Sue Holden-Morandini, the co- founder and an administrator for the group, says it is made up of volunteers who are all dog lovers. They monitor Facebook for lost pet notices and help bring wayward canines home.
PGS uses a structured combination of community surveillance, specialized hardware, and “flight mode” behavioural tactics to recover lost dogs without scaring them further. Usually, she says, rescues are fairly straightforward, but Daisy was unusually wily. “People started calling in sightings soon after she went missing. Everyone wants to help, but often pets get spooked when they are approached by unfamiliar people. We spotted Daisy on our trail cams and knew she was safe on a quiet property, so we decided to be patient.”
Lost pets can often be lured with food, but Holden-Morandini says Daisy resisted their efforts. “Every time we tried to set up a trap for her, she simply started avoiding the area, so we knew we’d have to work on her terms. After a couple of weeks on the run, she was starting to get pretty skinny, so we had volunteers delivering food twice a day to keep her well fed.” Once winter set in, there were concerns about
Daisy surviving without shelter, so on several occasions volunteers sat out all night until she eventually showed up.
“Eventually, one of our volunteers built a net trap and then we waited for Daisy to come to us,” says Holden- Morandini.
Her chapter of Pawsitive Ground Search is based in Barrie and works primarily in the Barrie and Innisfil areas. There is a Collingwood chapter, which works in co-operation with the Georgian Triangle Humane Society.
“Our search for Daisy was a big effort,” says Holden-Morandini. “It definitely takes a village.”
Pavelin is grateful to the volunteers for not giving up on Daisy, who is now safe and warm at home.
Holden-Morandini says there is no fee for their pet-rescue services. The satisfaction of seeing lost pets returned home safely is its own reward, however those looking to support PGS can do so in several ways. Donations to help cover the cost of equipment such as trail cameras are accepted. Community members are also encouraged to join PGS’s Facebook group, share posts about missing pets and help keep information current. Volunteers can assist by putting up posters in their neighbourhoods, contacting local veterinary clinics to alert them about missing animals and checking home security cameras for possible sightings.
PGS stresses that the public plays a critical role in safe recoveries. If someone spots a lost dog, they should note the exact time, location and direction of travel and report the sighting to PGS immediately.
Facebook photo: Collin Pavelin and Daisy.
