Stacey Y.
2 weeks ago
The following are proactive steps you should take to try and locate your dog.
One of the best aids in your search is a good flyer that you can post throughout your neighborhood. Be sure that it includes a good photo of your dog and a thorough description. Paste the flyers to fluorescent poster boards, and write “Lost Dog” in large black letters at the top of each poster board. Post the flyers in the area where your pet was lost, as well as the area around your home, since animals often find their way back to their home neighborhood.
�Make a large flyer and put on the window of your car with LARGE phone number and details using florescent washable markers. It's a moving billboard.
�Plant a large poster sign in your front yard.
Another highly effective tool for recovering lost pets is called the "FIVE + FIVE + FIFTY-FIVE RULE,” and it involves posting very large lost pet posters at intersections where they will be visible to more people.
Walk the neighborhood where your dog was lost, talk to everyone, and leave them your phone number and a picture of your dog.
If your dog has been microchipped, contact the chip manufacturer and inform them the dog is missing. Provide them with your current contact information if it has changed since the date you had your dog microchipped.
Check with the animal shelters in your area as well as those in nearby communities, just in case your dog has somehow ended up there. If possible, go to area shelters and check for yourself, rather than calling, since sometimes shelter personnel may not be aware of every animal in their facility. Visit the other animal shelters, humane societies and animal rescue organizations in the area as well as you are able. Check back at the shelters frequently.
Post your dog on Paw Boost.
If your dog is wearing a rabies tag or license, make sure the agency that issued the tag has your current contact information.
Call local veterinarian offices during the day send them a flyer and description; after 5 PM, call veterinarian emergency clinics, just in case your dog was injured and someone has taken him for medical care. Facebook has multiple groups for ever city/town, region, and state. Post to all that apply to your area and the surrounding area. If you have a large breed know for traveling, Pyrenees, Husky, Hounds, etc., then post statewide and in neighboring states.
You may also want to notify any of the following where applicable: local police/sheriff, animal control/SPCA, local rescue groups, veterinarians, groomers, pet boarding facilities, schools & school bus transportation, post office for carrier alert, any delivery services - UPS/FedEx/Pizza Hut/Domino's/Papa John's that service your general vicinity.
Don't just call the shelter go there every week if you have to. You should also ask if you can put lost posters up in vet's offices etc. and supermarkets sometimes have bulletin boards.
�If your dog has a friend or sibling call their name instead. Keep the stress out of your voice when calling so they don’t think they’re in trouble. How would you tell your dog their friend has arrived at your home? Sit on the ground with hotdogs in pieces, avoid eye contact with your dog. LET THEM COME TO YOU.
Please go see any close found dogs in person. Being lost, kidnapped or put in a loud shelter are so stressful that most animals do not look the same as owners remember. Photos can change the color of their eyes and coats because of lighting … or lack of. It can appear to be a drastically different color in some cases. Compare markings on face, paws, coat. I know it’s hard to check out every dog sighting but if it’s possible it’s yours, meeting the dog is the only way to be sure.
�Reach out to all the hunting clubs in the area. Not only are they in and out of wooded areas, their dogs may draw yours out. They also could already have them.
Check Pet boards in area and online for free or for sale dogs, that fit your dogs description. People may try to find them homes if believe abandoned. If you suspect one is yours, don't let on you think it’s yours until you have address, just to be safe.
Think about using one of the Alert programs.�Or DIRECT MAIL flyer blanketing your immediate or wider area through the postal service.
Draw a circle around area lost and call/email/visit shelters within 10 miles of where the as the crow flies. Call vet offices within 10 miles of where the dog was lost. Canvass the neighborhood, especially checking with children, mailmen, UPS drivers etc. You can also ask kids not just if they’ve seen the dog but to help look for him. Children LOVE helping adults out of a jam they've gotten themselves into (for a change), especially if it involves a dog and a reward! If the dog isn't found within 24 hours contact rescuer to ask them to keep their radar up about any found dogs. Obviously, it's VERY important that the dog be wearing his tags AT ALL TIMES and Pet GPS collars are invaluable.
�NEVER GIVE UP and keep updating their chip.
