How to Advertise a Lost Dog

Although losing your dog can be very distressing, it's important to remain calm and act quickly so that you can increase the chances that your dog will be safely returned to you. Even if you have not lost your dog, knowing ahead of time how and where you should advertise if your dog ever becomes lost will help you save time in your search.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Posters or fliers
• Recent photograph of your dog

1. Post fliers in your neighborhood. Make fliers that generally describe your dog's name, breed, color, fur type and height. Provide a phone number at which you can be reached at any time, but do not include your home address. You should not be too specific in your description. This will make it easier for you to determine whether people claiming to have found your dog have actually found your dog. For this same reason, do not include a photo of your dog on the fliers.

2. File a report with local animal shelters. Contact your local Humane Society branch and other animal shelters to see if you can file a missing dog report. If someone finds your dog and releases him to an animal shelter, the shelter will then be able to notify you. Many of these organizations may be able to provide you with other tips and services in finding your lost dog, such as placing an ad on their website.

3. Notify local animal hospitals. Notify your dog's veterinarian in case your dog is returned to the animal hospital. Contact all other animal hospitals in your area in case your dog injures itself and is dropped off there for treatment.

4. Place ads in local periodicals. Place a classified ad in your local newspaper, local store bulletin boards, homeowners associations and other community outlets. Remember to describe your dog generally and provide a phone number at which you can be reached at any time, such as a cell phone.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent your dog from running away, walk him regularly, provide ample supervised off-leash activities, and discourage chasing. The more your dog is used to walking outdoors and behaving off-leash outdoors, the less inclined he will be to run away if the opportunity arises. Because licensing and microchipping are the best ways to find a lost dog, it is important that you have these services done for your dog before he becomes lost.
• Do not trust individuals claiming to have found your dog who insist that you pay them a reward before you can verify their claim. Also, do not give out your address or other personal information. Contact the police immediately if you have reason to believe someone has stolen your dog.

Resources

• The Humane Society of the United States

[charlie01]

on 6/8/2009 A great place to easily create flyers online for your lost pet is www.peanutcafe.com. I used it when I lost our dog and it didn't take much time at all.