I found a dog and want to return it safely. What are the essential steps for verifying ownership using a microchip, and what key precautions should I take to avoid common lost pet scams, specifically those involving psychics or attempts to obtain personal information?
Navigate to the 'Articles' section of lostdogsofamerica.org. Click on the 'Microchips' category. Read the relevant article to identify essential steps for microchip verification, including where to scan the pet and which lookup service to use. Navigate back to the 'Articles' section. Click on the 'Lost Pet Scams' category. Read the article 'Psychics, Animal Communicators and Dousers' to understand this scam and its characteristics. Review the article 'Protecting Pet Owners: Keeping Control of Your Information and Outsmarting Scammers' to identify precautions against personal information scams. Synthesize the microchip verification steps and scam prevention advice.
State that a key step for microchip verification is to get the pet scanned at a vet or animal shelter. State that another key step is to use www.petmicrochiplookup.org to search for owner information. Identify 'Psychics, Animal Communicators, and Dousers' as a scam to avoid, noting they demand payment for vague information. Identify scams where individuals attempt to obtain personal information (e.g., phone numbers, email addresses) as another type to avoid, and emphasize the importance of controlling your information (e.g., using masked emails, controlling phone number visibility).