Maura K.
3 years ago
When your pet goes Missing...
•Quickly search last known location (keep slip lead and stinky treats with you at all times), check your home, shed, garage, basement and the entire area by car and foot that dog went Missing from...be sure to get down low and talk gently if you see the lost dog...
•Set Scent Station at that known location, pet may return to that location- place dirty dog bed, a used blanket and your worn, smelly, dirty laundry from bottom of basket outside in a safe visible area at your house or at location dog went missing from...also a bowl of smelly human or can dog food...
•Post on all Lost & Found Pet pages on Facebook (Lost & Found Pets - Hampton Roads, VA), Nextdoor app, Neighbors app, Pawboost app and any Neighborhood pages in your area...
•Tell everyone you see that your pet is Missing and any instructions like DO NOT CHASE or any tips about what he likes, like treats to get him to come to them... tell friends, neighbors, the mailman, local stores...the more eyes the better...Sightings Are Very Important!!!
•If you or those who are helping you see your dog get low onto the ground, be calm with limited eye contact and slowly get dog to approach them by using treats...a dog on the run and may not even recognize his own owner, if fearful, it may take some time for him to realize you are safe...Be Patient and figure out what works to get him to trust you again...a wagging tailed dog, for instance, may come right to you...try to read what they are thinking and go with what feels right to get this pet safely...
*PLEASE CONTAIN, if at all possible until someone else can take over for you!!! (even a small timid dog can dig or climb a fence when wanting to leave)
•Make fliers by next morning and BE SURE into put in upsidedown plastic page protectors sealed with tape and put in places people slow down to glance at...make the flier simple stating MISSING or LOST with Contact info with only One BIG Picture...people ONLY glance, so they need to see and remember your pet and will hopefully return to this flier to get info, if they see your pet...
•Report to Animal Control to file a Lost Report...check all local Shelters... Penninsula Regional Animal Shelter daily or at least every few days (PRAS serves Hampton, Newport News and York County)...
•Be sure you have any records and pics of your pet and Microchip info updated with current information...
•PLEASE keep us updated on any new information such as sightings to further help you and to keep your post active on Facebook...many of us are worrying with you and will jump in to help you, whenever we can...
