How to Find a Lost Dog Quickly

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By Deanna Lynn Sletten
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The sooner you react the more chance you have to find your lost dog.

Losing a dog is devastating to the dog’s family no matter what the circumstances are in how the dog was lost. Dogs that run away from home may be able to find their way back easier than a dog that has been lost away from home in a park or in a town. If the dog has been attacked by another dog or animal and was chased away, it may be difficult for the dog to find its way home. Generally, if a dog is scared or hurt it will hide until you are able to find it. No matter how your dog was lost, there are steps you can take to help find your dog quicker. Here are some things you should do right away to find your dog.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Call Family and Friends – As soon as you know your dog is missing call as many of your family and friends who can come and help you look for your dog. The more people there are to scan the neighborhood, park or town, the quicker you may find your dog. If your dog isn’t used to strangers, ask family and friends who you know your dog will come to.
Step 2

Ask a friend to call all of the places that a dog may be taken to.

Ask Someone to Make Important Phone Calls – You will want to be out looking for your dog but there are some important phone calls that should also be made. Ask a friend or family member to call the following places to report your lost dog and give a description. This way, if the dog is found and turned in, these places will know who the dog belongs to. Call:
• The Animal Shelter
• The Humane Society
• The Dog Catcher
• The Police or Sheriff’s Station
• Area Veterinarian Offices
• The Local Radio Stations – Some will announce a missing dog.
Step 3

Walk Familiar Routes that Your Dog Knows – If you walk your dog regularly and take the same route or routes then be sure to walk those routes several times. Your dog may find a familiar scent on the route and stay on it until he is spotted.
Step 4

Talk to Everyone You See – While you and others are walking around looking for the dog be sure to mention to everyone you pass that your dog is missing. Most people are sympathetic and will be on the lookout for your dog. Give them a phone number where they can reach you if they spot the dog.
Step 5

Ask a friend or family member to make up a missing dog flyer you can distribute.

Have Someone Make up Flyers – Ask a friend or family member to make up a flyer with a picture of your dog on it as well as where the dog was lost and where to call if they find the dog. This way you can hand out flyers to local businesses, neighbors or people you pass while searching so they are aware of the missing dog in case they see it. Also, ask someone to take these flyers to all of the places on the call list above so they can easily identify the lost dog.
Step 6

Put an Ad in the Newspaper – If you don’t find your dog the first day then you will want to place an ad in the local paper about your missing dog. Some papers will do this for free, others you will have to pay. An ad will reach more people in case someone found your dog and took it home.
Step 7

Read the Found Dog Ads – Sometimes people will place an ad in the newspaper if they have found a dog, even if you already have an ad for the same dog being lost. It doesn’t hurt to check the lost dog ads daily.
Step 8

Put a Lost Dog Announcement on FidoFinder.com – This free online service allows you to place your lost dog’s information on its site. They also have a listing of found dogs that you can search. The site address is: http://www.fidofinder.com
Step 9

Continue Walking Familiar Paths – Even if you do not find your dog in the first two days you should continue walking areas that are familiar to your dog in any way. Even if you lost your dog in a strange park or town, stay around where you last saw your dog. Dogs can generally find their way back to where they lost you, given time. Or, at the very least, someone may have seen your dog.
Step 10

Keep Calling the Local Shelters – Continue calling the local shelters, pounds, and veterinarians to check if your dog has been turned in. Even though you have given them the information already, they are usually so busy they may not look through their lost dog list if one comes in. They won’t mind if you call and check everyday.
Step 11

It is a happy ending when you do find your dog.

Don’t Give up Hope – Sometimes a dog can be lost for several days or weeks before he is found. Or, he may have been found but the person didn’t know how to contact you. Be diligent in your search and hopefully you will be one of the many happy endings where the dogs have been found.

Comments

christmaszorro2 said

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on 11/9/2009 I like that fidofinder.com information. I didn't know that that website existed prior to reading this article. Thank you for the information. I like your writing style, if you could please read my articles and tell me what you think I would greatly appreciate it.