How to Catch a Lost Dog
Few things are more heartbreaking than discovering a lost dog. The Missing Pet Partnership cites common causes of dogs becoming separated from their families: a door or gate is accidentally left open; the dog becomes frightened by thunder, gunfire or a traumatic experience and flees; or the dog is not properly confined to a property and escapes. Consider using a live trap to catch a lost dog. Live traps are safe and humane and are used to capture wild, lost or easily frightened animals.
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Instructions
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Monitor the lost dog closely to determine the area or areas it frequents the most.
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Set the live trap in an area where you've recently witnessed the dog or seen signs of the dog's presence. You can purchase live traps at hardware and pet stores or borrow one from your local humane society or animal shelter.
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Place canned dog food in the live trap as bait. Canned dog food has a strong aroma that attracts a hungry, lost dog into the trap.
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Check the live trap regularly. Dogs feed or look for food throughout the day, so check the trap every few hours for maximum success.
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Move the live trap containing the dog to a safe and secure environment. Depending on the size of the lost dog, ask a friend or family member to help you move the live trap containing the captured dog to a safe location.
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Tips & Warnings
Browse newspaper, humane society or animal shelter listings to determine whether the dog's owner has posted a "Lost Dog" listing. Contact your local veterinarian, humane society or animal shelter and provide a physical description of the lost dog. The owner may have contacted them looking for the dog.
Take a photo of the dog and create multiple "Found" posters and fliers. Hang the posters around your community and deliver the fliers to your neighbors, local veterinarian, humane society or animal shelter and to all businesses in your area.
If you don't want to use a live trap to catch a lost dog, consider coaxing the lost dog into your arms or into your home. The Washington Area Humane Society recommends positioning yourself slightly away from the dog while sitting or kneeling and gently calling out to the dog in a soothing, soft voice. Use a hot dog or other appetizing food to lure the dog into your arms or home. Pet the dog for a few minutes and gently place a collar and leash around its neck as soon as the dog reaches out to you or appears comfortable in your presence.
Try to place the live trap in a discreet area, away from high-traffic vehicles and pedestrians.
Consider placing the live trap in a shady area, and add a bowl of water into the trap if you're trying to catch the dog during the summer.
Avoid trying to catch the lost dog near a major highway or intersection, as the dog may become frightened and run into incoming traffic.
Never chase or run after a lost dog, as you may frighten the dog and make it run away from you.
References
- Photo Credit liitle dog image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
