In 1994, the series of movies made famous by Jim Carrey hit theaters and the phrase pet detectives
sky rocketed into the English language. It was initially associated with "the silly" but over the years, the phrase
pet detectives would transform and take on an entirely new meaning.
Pet Detectives, Inc.
In
2005, when I switched my investigative agency from humans to missing animals, I decided to name my company Pet Detectives,
Inc. The phrase although popular, was not being used seriously by anyone involved in missing pets. I took a chance on using
the phrase because frankly I could find no other moniker that explained what I did. The risk turned out to be worth it, and
over the next few years I was able to overcome the comedy of the phrase pet detectives and begin to establish credibility
as my repurposed title took on a new meaning in a new industry.
Fast forward a few years...
An organization that had been training lost pet consultants began to use the term pet detectives for their training. I opted
to stop using the term. However, the term, "pet detectives" was now forever ingrained in popular culture as someone
who looks for lost pets.
Not
just any Ace
Today, when a pet
goes missing many pet owners google "pet detectives" as they search for someone who can help them find their lost
pet. Many, however, may not understand the difference between a professional when compared to a hobbyist. Those that do this
work professionally can be lumped in with those who have limited or no experience finding lost pets.
Getting help from pet detectives... or anyone.
When a pet goes missing, pet owners should
consider many factors before allowing anyone to help them in the search for their missing family member. I have re-worked
countless cases where the pet owner was sent in the wrong direction by well meaning "pet detectives" or volunteers.
In some cases, free help can turn out be the most expensive. In one case it resulted in the death of the missing dog while
in many others, the time wasted in those first crucial days and weeks resulted in wasted efforts as the families were sent
in the wrong direction based on the lack of training and experience of self imposed pet detectives.
Here are links to questions to ask about pet detectives as well as situations to be aware
of.
