This article was featured in WYDaily on 3/24/23.
Greater Williamsburg’s social media feeds were recently swirling over the case of missing pup, Butter. With awareness and quick action from locals throughout the community, Butter’s story had a sweet ending. The Heritage Humane Society is sharing Butter’s story along with the tips that helped her so other pets throughout the community are protected in case they ever go missing.
Vanished
Six-month-old Irish Cream Labrador Retriever Butter was visiting Williamsburg with her human parents Sam and Audra Fetters of Pennsylvania. While walking her at Embassy Suites in Williamsburg, Butter slipped loose on March 9, 2023.
What became the Fetters’ heartbreak transformed into community action.¬
The Fetters took to social media pleading for anyone in the area who may have spotted their slippery pup to notify them. The online community forum Lost and Found Pets of Williamsburg directed them to The Heritage Humane Society for added assistance.
The couple completed the shelter’s online lost pet report form. The shelter posted on Facebook and Instagram to aid in the search. Community members joined the family to help canvas the area for her.
After long days and nights searching for Butter, the Fetters worried about having to return home without her. On March 13, a good Samaritan and friend of The Heritage Humane Society was shopping at Aldi’s, loading groceries in his car, when Butter literally leapt into his vehicle. He immediately drove Butter to the shelter. Since there was an online lost pet report completed and Butter was microchipped, the shelter was able to reunite the family right away.
There were tears of joy and lots of licks and wiggles as Butter and the Fetters had a sweet reunion at The Heritage Humane Society as the shelter team and community members witnessed.
Butter’s parents, Sam and Audra Fetters, share:
“Audra and I reached out to The Heritage Humane Society on the advice of the Lost and Found Pets Williamsburg Facebook pet finding community. We found the people at Heritage Humane to be very warm, caring, and responsive with advice on the steps we needed to take to help our puppy Butter find her way back to us. The staff was constantly reaching out with other agencies in the area for information and helping to keep people aware of possible sightings. The staff at The Heritage Humane Society were an instrumental part of Butter finding her way home and we are very grateful for their help, and the help of so many others in the area. Thank you again, Heritage Humane for all your kind assistance.”
The Fetters also shared this final post with the impactful dos and don’ts that helped lead to Butter’s return. They want to help other pet lovers avoid a similar situation or if their pet is lost, to improve the outcome of a reunion.
196 missing pets reunited
Often, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The Heritage Humane Society is adopting a pet. However, in 2022, 196 pets that came to the shelter were reunited with their pet owners.
The shelter has recommendations for pet owners to help prevent missing pets as well as steps for if they do disappear. Steps include:
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Keep a current picture of your pet handy.
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Keep contact information for local animal shelters and Animal Control handy such as this Heritage Humane Society contact list.
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Microchip your pet and be sure to register the microchip number with the manufacturer so the pet can be matched with the owner.
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Fit your pet’s collar tight enough so it won’t easily slide over their head and include identification tags with you contact information.
If your pet goes missing
It your pet goes missing, The Heritage Humane Society recommends the following steps:
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Submit an online lost pet report with your local shelter and include a recent picture of your pet
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Post to your social media pages. Many areas have set up Facebook pages for local lost pets. Within the Greater Williamsburg area, there is Lost and Found Pets – Williamsburg/Upper YC/JCC/New Kent/Charles City.
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Print flyers and share them with pet-related companies such as pet supply stores, veterinary offices, groomers, local police, and the fire department. Include your pet’s photo and a description that includes breed, age, weight, color, and special identifying characteristics. Also list your contact information and the date and area where the pet was last seen.
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If your pet is microchipped and registered within a database, alert the company that your pet is missing.
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Alert neighbors and residents in the area.
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Once your pet is found, remember to share with others and social media the good news so the search is concluded.