What To Do If Your Dog is Lost

Losing your dog can be upsetting, but don’t lose heart. Stay calm and follow the steps below to help you find your pooch.

Getting the word out early that your dog is lost is the key to getting him or her back safely. Don’t assume your dog will find his way home. As soon as you are aware that your dog is missing, get the word out!

1. Be prepared ahead of time

Have a good, clear photo of your dog on hand just in case, and always make sure your dog is wearing a collar with an identification tag. Microchipping is an excellent form of identification, but always make sure your dog has a visible collar and tags. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date with the microchip registry. Many people change their phone number or move and forget to update their pet’s microchip information.

2. Contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies

File a lost dog report with every shelter within a 60-mile radius of your home and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible.

If you live in Colorado Springs, Pike’s Peak Humane Society serves as the local animal law enforcement agency. They recommend you complete an online lost report immediately. Resubmitting a lost report every ten days will help maximize your exposure. The report is only good for 45 days, so if your dog is missing longer than that, you need to complete a new report.

Contact your local police department if you think your dog has been stolen.

3. Conduct a search

Get out and look for your dog. Call your dog by name. Ask friends to help you drive the immediate area. Don’t try to predict where your dog might have gone – you never know. The best time to call for dog is at night or at dawn. If you are calling from your car, roll down the windows, stop frequently and turn your vehicle off to listen.

4. Make lots of posters

Keep your poster simple. LOST DOG should be at the top of the poster in large, bold lettering. Include a picture of your dog and a brief description and breed type, i.e. “black, tan and white German Shepard”. Withhold some identifying marks for verification. Include your dog’s name; it may make it easier for someone to call your dog over and also demonstrates your dog is a valued member of your family, and not just another lost animal. Offer a reward but don’t state how much on the poster, don’t include your name or address but do include your cell phone number in large numbers at the bottom of the poster. Then make sure you keep your phone near you, charged and turned on at all times.

Hang your poster at intersections, in grocery stores, laundromats or other places in the vicinity that allow posters. Don’t forget to let your mail delivery person and trash collectors know by taping a poster to your mailbox and trash can.

5. Pass out index cards

Make dozens of index cards with the same information as above, and go to every home, in every direction from the site of where your pet disappeared and give a card or stick it under doors or on windshields. Stop and talk with everyone you encounter – the more people know about your lost dog the more likely someone will spot her and call you. Your dog may be frightened, so ask people to check their sheds or out buildings, especially at night.

6. Call local veterinarian clinics and animal hospitals

Sometimes people will drop a stray animal off at a nearby veterinarian clinic or animal hospital.  You can also contact local police and state troopers, local kennels, the highway department, dog training facilities and grooming shops to get the word out.

7.  Advertise

Place a “LOST” ad in your local newspaper and Craigslist the very first morning your dog is missing. These ads are usually free. Post a picture of your lost dog on Facebook and other social accounts. Often people will “share” the photo, including your contact information, with their social networks.

8. Sign up with an automated service

FindToto and Lost My Doggie are two sites that will immediately call or email thousands of your nearby neighbors to notify them that your dog is missing.

9. Recognize your dog may be terrified

Even the friendliest and most social dog may become terrified and wild when lost. Your own dog may hide from people, run away from strangers or even run away from you. Don’t chase after your dog – it only makes him more frightened. Instead, sit on the ground and repeat his name and familiar phrases over and over. It may take a few minutes or a few hours, but usually a scared dog will come closer and closer.

In rare cases you may need to rent a Humane Live Trap to capture a terrified lost pet. Local animal shelters often rent or loan them and will have the appropriate size for your dog.

10. Try the “lost hunting dog” method

 Hunting dogs sometimes get lost on a hunt; here’s how some hunters find their lost dogs.

• Take an article of your clothing that has been worn all day or even longer (so your dog can pick up your scent) and your dog’s favorite toy and bring it to the location you last saw your dog and leave it there.
• Bring your dog’s crate along as well if the location is desirable for a crate.
• Leave a note requesting items not be removed.
• Leave a bowl of water as well, as your dog may not have had access to water.
• Do NOT bring food as this could attract other animals that the dog might avoid.
• Come back the next day and as often as you can.
• Hopefully your dog will be waiting for you.

11. Don’t give up

Be aggressive in your search and be persistent. You might be surprised at how many people will be supportive, will get out and help you look and offer words of encouragement. Continue to visit local shelters every other day and leave a poster or index card (see above) with shelter staff.

If your lost dog comes bounding back to you, greet them warmly. As frustrated and scared as you might be feeling, they need praise not punishment for coming back!

Most dog lovers will be more than happy to help you look for your dog; strangers will often go out of their way to publicize missing pets, so be sure to spread the word as quickly as possible when you discover your dog is missing, and hopefully you will soon be reunited with your beloved dog.

Have you lost your dog before? Were you able to find your dog? If so, what worked for you? Please share in the comments below…