Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Phone Books
- Dog Collars
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Tags
- Local Newspapers
- AVID Microchips For Animal Tracking
- Dog License
- Fliers
Step1
Inform neighbors that your dog is lost.
Step2
Organize a search party. Travel on bikes, by foot, and by car and search the area.
Step3
File a lost dog report at all agencies and shelters in the surrounding area.
Step4
Go to local agencies and shelters at least once daily to check the new arrivals.
Step5
Make fliers that include the date of loss, name of dog, description, any unique markings, a picture and your phone number. Include a reward offer.
Step6
Put the fliers up around your neighborhood, at shopping centers, veterinarian clinics, pet shops and anywhere else, including your old neighborhood if you've recently moved.
Step7
Place lost dog ads in newspapers and check the Found Dogs section in your local paper. Most important, don't give up.
Comments
Tripleb said
on 9/28/2008 you should not post your dog's name on your posters and written advertising. if your dog has been dognapped, it makes it easier for the thief to acclimate the dog to their household if they know the dog's correct name.
rollerpuppy said
on 8/15/2008 Not only that, the chips require that your pet be found first. The are not a pet "low jack". The pet has to be brought to a vet, shelter, etc, to read the chip. AND there are now several chip makers that have their own chip scanners, unique to their chips... thus requiring vets, shelters, etc. to purchase a variety of scanners, which is often cost prohibitive.
diggitydogg said
on 8/6/2007 The Humane Society suggests filing a lost pet report at all shelters within a 60-mile radius of your home. There is also the website petfinder.com where you can post a listing about your lost dog in the Missing Pets section, as well as search the Found Pets section for dogs that are not in shelters.
Anonymous said
on 9/24/2006 The problem with the chip is that it discourages pet thieves from getting vet care for stolen pets. Put a traditional tag or Petscope and avoid the chip! If someone has the heart to return your pet, they will look through the ID and/or do whatever is necessary.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 One evening, while visiting my parents' house in the country, my boyfriend took our dogs outside to play....they both ran off. The male came back right away, but my female did not. We searched the area from the time she ran off (about 7 PM) until midnight, and went home without her. The next day we were up bright and early and resumed the search. We looked until early afternoon and were totally exhausted (we were conducting our search on foot). We got ready to go home, then decided to drive around one more time to see if we spotted her. We drove from my parents' house about 5 miles north to the neighborhood where my boyfriend and I used to live. Lo and behold, there was our lost girl! I jumped out of the car and yelled for her, she looked at me like she couldn't believe her eyes. We ran toward each other and I scooped her up in my arms. Her paws were dry and cracked, and her nails were ragged, but she was otherwise fine. I would love to know what she did during the 18 hours or so that she was lost. I think the whole experience changed her, she definitely sticks close to us now, even if we are outside and she is not leashed.
I wanted to give you a happy story, in case your pet is lost. Keep looking!