How to Find Your Lost Dog

In this article, you will learn what to do if your pet dog becomes lost. If you follow the steps, you will increase the chances of saving your pet' s life.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phone
• Computer
• Pen
• Paper
• Internet Connection
• Your pet's favorite toy

1. Have you lost your dog? The last thing you want to do is PANIC. REPEAT: DO NOT PANIC!
   
   If an owner is persistent and patient, she/he has a much better chance of a happy ending with this situation.
   
   Stay Calm. Call in family and/or friends to assist you.

2. Have friends/family search and investigate the area for any escape route. Did he escape? Is there anyone who may have wanted the pet? (Are you getting a divorce?)

3. Have the friends/family walk around the neighborhood with the pet's toy calling the pet by name. (If you do not have assistance, skip this step for now.

4. Step 4:
   You will need to make flyers with your computer. On the flyer:
   A photo of the pet
   Date pet went missing
   Your phone number
   Do not include your address: Write the cross-streets here
   Write REWARD- Do not place a dollar amount here.
   Make several copies

5. Register your pet with www.lostpets911 and Fidofinder

6. Now, call the main Animal Control Shelter to find out what the hours of operation are.
   Do not just drive down there-most of them have short hours of operation. There is no need for an upset owner to be driving, only to find the shelter is closed.

7. Now, take the flyers with some tape. Involve your family/friends is possible. Walk or slowly drive around the neighborhood and put up the flyers

8. Make a list of the main Animal Control Shelters, and the Humane Society

9. Make arrangements to visit every shelter within your distance, with a flyer in hand

10. Make sure you walk through the lines of dog cages slowly, calling your pet's name

11. Make sure the shelters place your flyer on their board. Make sure you speak to staff, giving them your information.

12. This is critical. * You must check the shelters every day for up to a week. Many times the shelter will have your pet the first day, and you will not be able to find the pet. Always check the Animal Control Shelter first, working your way down to the last shelter. Remember: Just because you do not see your dog the first day- DOES NOT MEAN THE SHELTER DOES NOT HAVE YOUR DOG! GO BACK! The dog could be going through processing.

13. Check your email everyday to see if you receive any answer from your lost pet alert

14. Be careful of scammers! If you follow these steps methodically and carefully, you should be able to rescue your pet. You have the steps-follow them strictly, and you should have a much better outcome.

Tips & Warnings

• Enlist help from family/friends
• Make sure you check with the Animal Control Shelter-Call for hours-Go there
• Make sure you are placing flyers in your neighborhood
• Know that the Animal Control Shelter is a Business like any other facility. Check for your pet on a daily basis...this can not be overstated.
• Be careful of scammers!
• Do not give out your home address on the flyers-use the cross-roads

[AmyJaine]

on 3/13/2008 It is so said, that no matter what we do in life we have to be careful of scammers. Great Article.

[amylaine]

on 3/7/2008 Very informative, thank you. Great article.