Flyers vs Posters

Let's talk about the difference between flyers and posters. I believe this is one of the biggest miscommunications that we have in lost pet recovery and both of those tools are crucial in getting a lost pet home so it's important to understand the difference!

When I say a flyer, I'm talking about a detailed handout that you:

-give to people around the area your pet was lost

-hang in places where people can stop to read or take a picture like gas stations, restaurants, pet stores, etc

-give to local restaurants to put on pickup/takeout orders

-give to mail carriers-trash collectors-landscapers-etc.

-give to veterinary hospitals and local shelters

They can vary in size but should have details about your pet, where they went missing, the best way to contact you, Do not call out or try to catch, and the pets picture or description.

**Flyers should never be put on or in a mailbox as this is a federal offense**

A poster is a large neon, easy to read alert that is placed:

-at community entrances

-intersections

-businesses with permission

-the address of where your pet went missing

Posters should be put out following the ordinances of the city or town that your pet is lost in. If you're not sure how to check those, ask the missing pet recovery team that you're working with to make sure that you don't waste time/money putting them up just to have them removed.

These contain less information but all of the important points. What is lost, the best contact info, Do not call out or try to catch, and a clear picture or a description. These are for people who are usually in some mode of transportation and will be going by quickly so they need to be able to clearly read or take a picture of it as they are passing by.

I am attaching two examples of a flyer and a poster below. There are a few different ways to format each and multiple websites that can help you, I use Pet FBI for my flyers and then I design posters in Canva and hand make them. But there are lots of options out there and we are happy to point you in the direction of one that suits your situation.

I hope this helps clear up some confusion and again, these are two of the most important tools that we use to help lost pets get home so they are vital to understand and get out as soon as possible! 💜🐾