How to Find a Lost Dog

No matter how careful you are to monitor your dog's activities, he may manage to go off on his own and get lost. Some are able to find their way back, but most, in this complicated and hectic society, are not. If this happens to you and your dog, don't panic. There are strategies you can use to find that rascally canine family member.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mobility, whether by you, a friend or family member
• A telephone
• Posterboard in bright colors
• A recent picture of your dog, if possible
• Post cards or leaflets or both
• Reward money

1. Go to the most likely place your dog might have gone. Is there a park s/he never wants to leave? Is there another dog s/he wants to visit, or a cat s/he likes to chase? It will most likely be someplace your dog has been before. Also, check the last place you saw your dog.

2. If your dog isn't in any of his or her usual hang-outs, go next to the most dangerous place you can think of where the dog may have gone, such as a nearby busy street, a local construction site, areas where garbage--and rats--might be.

3. Go to the last place where you and the dog were together. Often, the dog will try to find you by scent, and the scent of the two of you together will be strongest at that place.

4. Keep searching on foot, but be careful not to have too many searchers at once. This can confuse and frighten your dog, who is probably already feeling pretty scared. Also, make sure not to call continually as some dogs will bark only when it's quiet and be quiet when they hear voices. Give your dog a chance to get a bark in.

5. Ask neighbors, children, delivery people, and anyone else who has been outside in the area where you're looking. Be sure to have a picture or a good description prepared so they know what kind of dog you mean.

6. Call and/or visit local veterinarians, in case a lost or injured dog has been brought there. Once again, make sure you have an adequate description or a photo, so they know what your dog looks like.

7. Visit and call all the local shelters; even if your dog is a pedigreed show-dog, do not count on the shelter staff to recognize your dog by his or her breed name. A picture and careful description is always best.

8. Make large, brightly-colored, eye-catching posters and put them up in your immediate area and anywhere your dog might have gone. Make sure this is legal; some towns have very strict ordinances about what type, size and frequency posters of any kind can be. ALWAYS OFFER A REWARD. It makes a big difference to some people that they be remunerated for helping you. Make sure there is an excellent description of the dog, plus a picture, if possible, the dog's name, and a phone number where you can be reached at any time, typically a cell phone you always have with you. Include the address and/or cross-streets of the last place your dog was seen. Ask if you can hang posters in grooming shops, pet supply and feed stores, veterinarians' offices, convenience stores, laundromats and other high-traffic venues.

9. Make post cards to mail in a 2 to 5 mile radius of the place where the dog was lost and send them to veterinary clinics and local shelters. Include as much of the information you used on the posters as possible. Print flyers and give them to people, put them on windshields, hang them up wherever you have permission.

10. Check the 'found' ads in local papers and take out a classified ad with as much of the information on the posters as possible. Be sure to check your ad for accuracy. If you can get local radio stations to make an announcement with your dog's description and other information about his/her loss, make sure it is aired as often as possible.

11. Go on the internet and advertise on craigslist.com, and ask at local kennels and training groups and classes.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't panic. Your dog most likely is nearby, and wants to come home as much as you want him/her to come home.
• Always make sure your dog wears a collar with her/his tags, as well as an identity tag with the dog's name and your phone number.
• In some cities, it's possible to have a chip implanted under a dog's skin with his or her identification on it; veterinarians and shelters routinely scan for them.
• Keep your dog's favorite treats handy for when you find the little rascal.
• If you receive a demand from a dognapper, call the police. Horrifyingly, this kind of crime is becoming more prevalent. Fortunately, there are strategies in place to deal with such scum.

[gahazeleyes]

on 6/14/2009 Thanks for sharing. My cat has a microchip right under her skin, to help if she ever gets lost.

[2besure]

on 5/25/2009 This is so traumatic for the children. You have to remain confident for the children.

[arwen1964]

on 5/13/2009 Get your pets microchipped so that if they are found, they can be returned to you. Dog tags and collars are often lost when a dog breaks free of a chain or rope. They are also removed by dog thieves or loosened by well-meaning dog lovers.