Harrisonburg, VA Lost Female Dog, Bella Is Missing

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Patricia A.

3 days ago

🙏🙏

Barbara H.

3 days ago

Shared

Crystal Y.

3 days ago

Here are some tips that have been found to be very effective in bringing missing dogs home: Be sure to call Animal Control to report your pet. Email the shelter with a description & picture of your pet, the area it was lost (include cross streets & any landmarks) and your contact information. If chipped, report them to the microchip company Report to nearby veterinarian offices and local dog groomers (preferably with a flyer & picture to post) WALK your neighborhood and talk to your neighbors (preferably with a picture) so they may also keep an eye out for your pup. If they have cameras ask if they’ll review the footage so you may get an idea which direction the dog went. Dogs will generally move in the direction of water which is key to their survival. Because of mobility issues, senior dogs will often travel downhill. Dogs that are lost at rest stops, in parks, or in auto accidents often stay in the general area. Dogs that run from any place other than "home" often double back to the exact spot they ran away from. Many will return late at night or early morning when there is minimal activity at the location. In the event of a sighting, do NOT chase or call out to them as they may have gone into “survival mode” leaving them unable to recognize their name, human(s) appearance or voice. Instead, take with you a sealed bag of food to the location, a blanket to sit on while attempting to lure the dog to you (sit with head & eyes kept low, make yourself look small and non aggressive), and a slip leash. Check all hiding spots such as under bushes, vehicles, porches, in sheds, in nearby woods, etc, and places where your dog could have fallen in or may be stuck or trapped If your pup ran off with leash attached, keep an ear open & listen for any whining or howling, as they maybe caught on something and unable to get loose Post in PawBoost as well as Ring & Nextdoor Apps. Check nearby areas’ Craigslists Post your lost pet in your neighborhood and community’s groups. Lay out a scent trail and station (walk the perimeter of your property leading back to your entrance (do this several times), put unwashed clothing & bedding (especially those of their favorite human) and the pet’s bedding and food (the stronger the stink the better) & water outside near an entrance. A trail of liquid smoke (they LOVE this stuff so the more the better) and meat cooking on a grill has also been found very effective in drawing dogs back home. If you have or know someone who does, use a drone to get a bird’s eye view in places you otherwise wouldn’t be able to go (behind fences, wooded areas, etc) Saturate the area with flyers of your lost pet (brightly colored posterboard is a great background to draw more attention) add “DO NOT CHASE or CALL OUT” adding animal control & your contact number (Chasing a lost dog, even by well-meaning people, is the most common reason a dog is driven out of an area and into survival mode.) Put at major intersections; in store windows, on bulletin boards, hand the flyers to anyone else who is out in the neighborhood daily (joggers, postal workers, bus drivers, etc) Turn your vehicle into a billboard by tagging it with window markers (preferably fluorescent colors), description of pet and contact information Place a “Missing” yard sign in your yard with description of & (if able) a picture of your pup If your pup is an intact (not neutered) male and you know of anyone with a female in heat, ask them to bring the female to walk your property, provide you with bedding or such with said female’s scent. Continue to monitor all lost & found pet groups within your region. Often finders won’t report to animal control but will post in any one of these groups. GO to the shelter(s) at least every other day to see for yourself if they have your pet. Your verbal description of your lost pet may not match the same description of the AC officers & volunteers. If sightings are consistent in a specific area set up a feed station and a humane trap. Animal Control or a rescue organization maybe able to loan you a trap at no cost. Monitor the trap continuously, preferably with a motion-activated camera if possible. WATCH OUT for scammers (they’re all over lost & found animal groups, preying on those in their most desperate times)!!! Always ask for a new picture of your pup and absolutely NEVER give money in advance! If all else fails, consider hiring an experienced, reputable tracker/trapper Most of all, stay strong & diligent! Hope this helps! Fingers crossed!🤞🤞

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