How to Find a Lost Dog Fast

"I can't find my dog" is a sentence no dog owner wants to think about let alone speak out loud. When you first realize that your dog has disappeared, panic can set in and you may not think clearly, so it is essential that you have an effective action plan in place before it happens. The longer your dog is lost, the harder he will be to locate and the greater the chance he will need first aid when you do find him. Review the following checklist to help you get your dog home safe, and fast.

1. Design "Lost Dog" flyers in advance so you can start your search immediately and avoid wasting time designing and printing flyers. Use 8 ½ x 11 white paper with black ink, not colour, as it fades faster. Use two colour photos that accurately portray your dog, a head shot and full body shot. LOST DOG should be your heading and include your dog's name, breed (and description if unusual or mix breed) and contact info, just your phone or cell, no address. Hilite that you'll receive calls 24/7. For Date Last Seen, write STILL MISSING to indicate an on-going search, as many people will assume that if the date is a long time ago, the dog is either found or deceased. Add that "flyers will be removed once located". For Last Location Seen, write general city and add BUT COULD BE ANYWHERE to keep people in all neighbourhoods interested. Add DO NOT CHASE and explain that although your dog may be friendly, while lost, the dog could be cautious and chasing puts the dog at risk. The goal of posting flyers is to get sighting tips to allow you to focus your search, not to have your dog captured by strangers. Think twice about offering a reward. Most dog lovers are not going to care about money, and rewards may invite scammers or greedy people who may chase your dog, putting him at risk. Lastly, protect the flyers with plastic sheet protectors (open side down) to protect from dew and rain.

Click here to download Monty's Lost Dog Flyer that you can copy and fill in your own info.

2. Remain at the last place your dog was seen and have a volunteer replace you before you leave in the likely event your dog eventually returns. Plus, post a volunteer at the most likely places your dog may return to such as your home or your car. I once spent hours and hours looking for my dog only to find her sitting on the front steps at home!

3. As soon as possible, conduct a thorough search around the vicinity where last seen. Stop periodically to listen, especially if in the bush, as an injured dog may be hidden from view. Check all possible areas, especially if a tiny dog is missing. Use a favorite squeaky toy or treats for temptation. Flashlights are essential at night as an injured dog may purposely hide. For safety, search with a friend, especially at night.

4. Post Lost Dog flyers everywhere including community centres, schools, shopping centres, dog parks, hair salons, medical offices, bus stops and anywhere people browse or wait; and keep track of where you have posted flyers. Go door to door in the area last seen. Give copies of flyers to willing newspaper delivery people, school crossing guards, postal workers, couriers, etc as they are out and about every day. The more flyers out there the greater the chance of sightings being reported.

5. Use duct tape to hang "yard sale" type of posters at all major intersections for maximum exposure. You've got 5 seconds to grab drivers' attention so use large, fluorescent poster board with huge, easy to read text such as "LOST ROTTWEILER" or "LOST WHITE DOG with RED COLLAR". Post your 8 ½ x 11 Lost Dog flyer in the middle. The idea is to alert thousands of people in a short period of time. Verify city by-laws and if posting prohibited, use election / real estate type of lawn signs in high traffic areas.

6. Contact your local shelter, animal control, veterinarian and rescue groups to report your lost dog and inquire about found dogs; go in person if you can. If they do not pick up deceased animals from the road, check with city hall and inform the correct department. Although a sad outcome, it would help with closure. Check back regularly and keep track of you have contacted.

7. Post an ad in the local newspapers and on internet sites such as www.urbandogguide.com or www.petfinder.com. Create an email ad that you can forward to all your dog friends; nothing fans out faster than emails.

8. Be prepared for calls about sightings, 24/7, if that is what you have emphasized on flyers. Change your voice mail message to "If you are calling about our lost dog, Monty, please leave the exact location and time of any sightings and a call back number if you wish. Thank you". If you receive a call from someone stating your dog has been found, keep safety in mind. Meet in a public place and go with another person. Beware of scams such as anyone requesting you send money out of town before your dog will be shipped home.

9. Do not give up! Replace damaged or worn out posters. Renew lost ads in newspapers. Keep in regular contact with shelters, animal control and rescue groups. Keep track of sightings and focus your on-going search in these areas.

10. When you find your dog, contact everyone who has been notified including shelters, animal control and flyer recipients. Remove all flyers and posters.

© 2008 DOGSAFE Canine First Aid. www.dogsafe.ca.