Every dog parent’s worst nightmare is a missing dog. It’s an emotionally distressing situation, and a topic not many dog owners enjoy discussing. However, while we don’t like to think about it happening to our dogs, there is always the chance that it could. Additionally, dogs of your friends, family members, and neighbours could go missing, and they may lean on you for support and advice as a fellow dog parent. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to be prepared, as acting quickly and efficiently gives you a better chance of finding them safe and sound. This blog contains a step-by-step guide for locating a lost dog so you can help ensure their safe return.
1. Stay calm and assess the situation
This is far easier said than done, but staying as calm as you possibly can gives you the best chance of clearly assessing the situation. First of all, check your immediate area, including your home and any adjoined outdoor spaces, to see if you can spot your dog. If not, start to gather useful information that will help you in your search for them. For example, you’ll want to remember where it was that you last saw your dog, any collars or tags they were wearing, and anything that may have triggered them to run off. This information offers you a solid foundation upon which you can focus your initial search efforts.
2. Start your search in the local area
Starting out in your local area is a good idea as your dog will likely go where they are familiar with their surroundings. This is especially true if they haven’t been missing for long. While you search, make sure to repeatedly call their name, especially in the areas they’re most likely to be, such as a local park.
Along with your voice, you can use familiar items to entice your dog to return to you. For example, you could bring along their favourite toy, treat, blanket, or another special item which holds a scent your dog will be drawn to. While you search, make sure to notify people in the area so they can keep an eye out for your dog. For example, your neighbours can check areas you can’t, such as their back gardens and sheds, where your dog may have ventured to.
3. Use technology to assist your search
We live in the golden age of technology, and the case of a lost dog is the perfect time to put it to good use. Social media posts can help spread the word about your lost dog, broadening the area in which you have eyes searching for them. In addition to traditional social media platforms, sharing posts in Facebook Groups, neighbourhood apps like Nextdoor, and local community forums can be incredibly useful. Make sure to include a recent photo and plenty of details, including what people should do if they spot your dog. Some dogs can be approached, while others are more reactive to strangers, so the advice can vary depending on your dog’s temperament. If your dog cannot be approached, kindly advise people to keep an eye on them until you can get to them.
In addition to social media, there are other ways you can use technology to help you find your missing dog. For example, look into lost pet apps and websites, such as Dog Lost and Animal Search UK, as these organisations focus solely on reuniting worried parents with their lost pets. Also, if your dog has smart devices on their collar, such as an Apple Air Tag, try using GPS to track their whereabouts. Even if it doesn’t load straight away, keep checking it as you search. Make sure to use every inch of the technology at your fingertips during your search efforts as it often plays a key role in bringing lost pets home safely.
4. Contact vets and shelters
Next, continue to broaden your search by involving local animal-focused organisations and businesses, such as shelters, pet shops, and vet clinics. Offer as many details as possible, such as your dog’s markings, breed, and temperament, as well as any microchip details they may need. If your dog has a microchip, make sure the contact details associated with it are up to date so you are easy to get ahold of.
Shelters and vets often receive calls about lost dog sightings, and they can relay any information they receive straight back to you. Additionally, sometimes people actually bring lost pets directly to these organisations, so it’s worth making them aware that you’re searching for a lost dog. The staff members may also be able to offer you some useful advice that could help you find your dog, as well as spread the word among their network.
5. Create and distribute flyers
Another important step is to make and distribute flyers alerting people that your dog is lost. Make sure to include a high quality, recent photo, as well as a clear description and instructions regarding whether or not to approach them if found. Also be sure to include your contact information. Some people also opt to include a reward as incentive for finding and returning your lost dog, but this is not a necessary step if you’d prefer not to.
Once your flyers are ready, put them up in high-traffic spots in your local area to increase the number of people who see them, as you never know who will have useful information for you. Common areas for posting these flyers include parks, vet clinics, grocery shops, and busy residential streets. Once you have plastered your flyer around town, try handing more of them out by going door-to-door and speaking with neighbours or slipping the flyer into their mail slot. The more people who are aware and on the lookout for your lost dog, the more likely it is that they’ll be found.
What to do if your dog is found by someone else
If you’re not the one to find your dog, there are some steps to take before retrieving them from a stranger. For example, it’s a good idea to ask for photographic proof so you can be sure that it’s your dog they have found. If you’re confident they have your dog, arrange to meet in a safe place, somewhere public, and bring someone else along with you. While it’s unlikely the person with your dog will be dangerous, it’s always best to be as safe as possible when meeting up with a stranger.
Also, try to bring along anything that helps prove ownership of your dog, such as vet records or photos. This is useful regardless of if your dog has been taken into a vet or shelter, or if a stranger is returning them to you, as they’ll want to make sure your dog ends up in the right hands. So, while vets offices should be able to confirm your identity and ownership via your dog’s microchip, bringing proof is never a bad idea.
Preventing future incidents
Here are some steps you can take to prevent your dog getting lost:
- Use a GPS tracker: Invest in a GPS collar or another tracking device to keep tabs on your dog’s movements in real-time. This way, even if they wander off, you’ll know exactly where to find them.
- Ensure your dog is microchipped: Microchips play a crucial role in reuniting people with their lost pets, so ensuring that your dog is microchipped is key. If your dog is brought into a vet’s office and the chip is checked, they should be able to get ahold of you and reunite you, whereas without a microchip the process is much more complicated. Always make sure all of your contact info associated with the microchip is up-to-date.
- Reinforce recall commands: Train your dog to respond reliably to recall commands to avoid future escapes. This also helps in the case that they do run off again, as it makes it more likely they will respond to the sound of your voice and return quickly.
- Secure your garden and home: Dogs are very curious creatures, and often don’t realise how far they wander off when their area is not properly secured. They will simply follow their nose toward whatever piques their fancy. So, it’s crucial to ensure all fences, doors, and gates are secure to prevent accidental escapes.
Final thoughts
Losing your dog is an incredibly scary situation, and would be even more frightening if you find yourself in it unprepared. Committing the actionable steps in this article to memory can help you find your dog or the missing dog of a loved one quickly and safely. Additionally, make sure to take all possible precautions to prevent your dog from getting lost. We hope this never happens to any of you and your lovely four-legged companions, but if it does, we hope this article helps you feel a little more prepared and gives you the steps you need to find them safely.
