Crystal Y.
2 months ago
Here are some tips that have helped bring lost dogs home:
Walk your neighborhood and talk to your neighbors 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. A lost dog 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 where there is minimal activity at the location.
In the event of a sighting, do NOT chase or call out. Instead, take with you a sealed bag of food, a blanket to sit on to lure your 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
Be sure to call Animal Control to report your pet (if they are closed, leave a message and call the police department’s non emergency line).
If chipped, report them to the microchip company
Report to nearby veterinarian offices (preferably with a flyer to post)
Post in PawBoost as well as Ring & Nextdoor Apps.
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 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)
Turn your vehicle into a billboard by tagging it with window markers (preferably fluorescent colors), description of pet and contact information
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. Your pet may not have been reported to animal control but possibly be found in one of these groups
GO to the shelter(s) every 2-3 days 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.
Offering an award may be helpful BUT whether offering a reward or not, WATCH OUT for scammers (they’re all over lost & found animal groups, preying on those in their most desperate times)!!! Be cautious of those that claim to have your pet but may want a 6 digit number as well as people suggesting using resources on IG and FB. One quick, simple way to find out if a person is legitimate is clicking their profile… don’t take their suggestion on a “finder” if their page is locked or they don’t have an active page. Anything that sounds too good to be true (“they found my pet immediately” or such)… it likely is.
Most of all, stay strong & diligent!
Hope this helps! Fingers crossed!🤞🤞