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LINKING
WITH LaFAN, MAINTAINING OR BUILDING YOUR ORGANISATION'S LOST AND
FOUND PAGE
IMPORTANT
NOTE
If you are a small rescue without a web site, LaFAN can still include
you on the network list. We can add your rescue's name and telephone
number to the list and if you wish an email address. However, we
do not recommend displaying your email address, since you will most
likely be swamped with spam.
Please note, if you do have a web site then you must follow the
instructions in the application and include a link back to LaFAN
to be eligible for this service. Only those rescues without web
sites can join LaFAN as a "phone number only" entry.
ADDING
THE LaFAN LINK TO YOUR PAGE
For LaFAN to work seamlessly you MUST provide a clear link from
your lost and found page back to the LaFAN network. On approval,
you will also be provided with a LaFAN graphic to put on your page
so that the public become familiar with the identifiable link back
to the LaFAN site in case they need to find an alternative location
etc.
LaFAN
LINKING TO YOUR LOST AND FOUND PAGE
The information we require to add an informative link to your web
page is explained at the end of these application pages. Please
see the layout of the Network List ( LaFAN Menu on right) as an
indicator of how LaFAN links to your page.
Please
note: If you are a large organisation with a lost and found web
page linking to your local branch "lost and found" web pages, you
must include a LaFAN link on all local branch website's lost and
found pages. All your local branches should realistically apply
individually to this network to enable us to link directly to each
local area and therefore enable a synchronised, nationwide connectivity.
MAINTAINING
YOUR LOST and FOUND PAGE
It is important that your lost and
found page is regularly updated. Below we provide advice on conforming
your page to enable easy use for site visitors and to provide transparency
with LaFAN:
Make sure your page is uncluttered and easy to navigate and each
lost and found entry dated (including the year). The page should
contain tables with clear information. See
here for an example.
(Which includes extra tips and the important inclusion of a "seen"
table to accommodate Lost
Animal Photo-Tracking
entries.)
Display your telephone number and email address clearly so that
people finding your page through the LaFAN directory can easily
contact you straight from your page.
Even if you have no new lost, found or seen animals to report, you
must append the "last updated" date every couple of days to show
visitors that the page is regularly administered. If visitors see
a page that appears to be months old they will assume it isn't active.
This means the LaFAN directory shows signs of stagnation and you
will not only be letting down your own organisation's worth but
adversely discrediting the reliability of other organisations lost
and found pages within the network. There is nothing more disheartening
for someone desperate to find their lost animal to discover that
their local shelter has a long-forgotten lost and found web page.
CREATING A LOST, FOUND and SEEN PAGE FROM SCRATCH
It shouldn't take your webmaster more than an hour to put together
a lost and found page.
Here's a brief outline of how you can present a Lost and Found web
page:
Using basic "html" with a table layout, create one "Lost"
and one "Found" and also a third "Seen" table.
Make the first column
the date.
The cell next to the date should be for a picture of the lost or
found animal. (Take a photo of the
found animal or if
it is lost include a picture
provided by the owner). The
next cell should contain a complete description of the animal -
where it was lost/found etc. The last
cell is for contact details. Click
here
for an example of what your lost and found page might look like
with the table structure, which includes extra tips.
(You are welcome to copy the example
HTML to use as a template for your own page) Don't forget to add
a "Seen" table as well to accommodate
Lost
Animal Photo-Tracking
entries.
REMINDER 1
If someone contacts you because they have lost their animal, remember
to ask them to send you a picture so you can insert it into your
page.
REMINDER
2
To make the whole thing work please don't forget to include the
LaFAN graphic and text links on your lost and found page.
REMINDER
3
Without exception, always ask for proof of ID when passing an animal
back to his or her owner. This means ID of the owner and their claim
to the animal; passport or driving licence and at least one utility
bill matching the owner's name and address with the animal's details,
i.e. microchip data and vet's records ... and of course proof of
ownership on presentation of pictures and any other available certificates.
TIP
Since
lost animals may cross rescue area boundaries, you
are advised to keep regular checks on other organisation's lost
and found pages adjacent to your own area, (which should hopefully
be found via the LaFan directory). Help each other out and enter
lost and found details from your neighbouring animal rescue organisations
pages to help make it easier for owners to track down their lost
animals through LaFAN. If you do this, always keep track with each
other's reports so you can update the situation.
LIAISE
WITH YOUR LOCAL VETS AND POLICE
Most
vet surgeries and police stations have the proverbial "little
red book" under the counter listing lost and found animals
reported to them. It is absolutely essential that you liaise with
vets and police so that you can continually exchange information,
and subsequently post these updates on your lost and found page.
These simple measures, with the LaFAN network link up, will ensure
best chances of lost animal reunification.
FINALLY
It's also a good idea to make up some posters about your Lost and
Found page and put them up in your local vets, police station, schools
etc. It's important that you add the LaFAN poster graphic to your
own posters so that the public become familiar with the cross-conection
via LaFAN meaning that you can be reached through the network.
Please
also download
the LaFAN poster
and display it in a public area of your organisation.
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