BAKER — Two North Okaloosa animal lovers are doing their part to ensure that lost pets return to their owners.
The Okaloosa Lost & Found Pets and Lost and Found Pets of Crestview and Okaloosa County Facebook pages allow residents to post photos of lost pets with contact information or post information on lost pets in their care.
The women behind the sites say they just want to help.
'A BETTER CHANCE'
“I have had a dog disappear about 10 years ago,” said Baker resident Alison Broxson, who runs Okaloosa Lost & Found Pets. “It just drives you crazy, not knowing what happened to them.”
She never found Piston, her wirehaired terrier, but the Facebook page she created a week ago can help reunite other residents with their pets, she said.
“I have seen so many posts for lost animals (on Facebook),” Broxson said. “My theory is that if there is one site for (pet owners) to go to, then there is a better chance of finding their pets.”
Crestview resident Colleen Barrett started Lost and Found Pets of Crestview and Okaloosa County last December.
Barrett, who owns three poodles and often pet sits for friends and family, was inspired to start the website after learning that a Facebook account for local lost-and-found pets did not exist.
“It motivated me to do something and help,” Barrett said.
The page receives daily posts, she said.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Broxson said three of eight missing dogs referred to on her page have been returned to their owners.
She doesn't know whether the website played a role in those reunions, but she is just happy to provide a community service.
“I am an avid animal lover,” she said. “This is something I feel like I can do to help animals.”
Broxson cares for dogs, chickens, a horse and a donkey at her home.
She plans to start an animal rescue facility upon retirement.
“I would rehabilitate and foster the animals until they find a home,” she said.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker, Crestview women create Facebook pages to reunite residents with lost pets