Knowledge of creature comforts and psychology secures success

Reviewing surveillance footage is the first step for a pet detective before heading out to search for a missing animal as it can provide an idea of the direction in which the lost animal may have gone.

Dogs generally tend to choose a roughly consistent direction and keep walking in a straight line when they go missing, pet detective Zhao Hui said. That's why the Teddy Bear and Shiba Inu breeds give him the biggest headaches as they can run up to 10 kilometers in a day.

By contrast, cats tend to find a secluded spot to hide and won't come out unless they are extremely hungry.

"No corners or crevices should be overlooked," Zhao said. "Even a small hole or drain by the roadside, if disregarded, could mean missing out on finding an errant cat."

He has a deep understanding of the psychology of cats and dogs: he knows that cats are naturally inclined to climb and explore high places, so if one goes missing in a building it is likely to be found by searching upward along the stairs. Cats are also highly alert so Zhao has to tread lightly. However, he often faces suspicion or is mistaken for a thief when he is holding a flashlight, quietly inspecting every nook and cranny of a building or neighborhood.

However, most of the time dogs end up in someone's home, which requires the extensive dissemination of "lost pet" information, Zhao said. In addition to posting notices in neighborhoods, he has found that seeking assistance from nearby pet stores — for example, asking them to share search information in their WeChat customer groups — is highly effective.

"People who have pets themselves can better empathize with the owner," he said. "They know how heart-wrenching it can be when their beloved friend goes missing."