As dog owners, we do all we can to ensure our pets remain safe and happy. We feed them, we play with them, we walk them and we ensure they remain with us where we protect them from harm. But what if your dog gets lost?
Sadly, no matter how much effort we make, our dogs have their own minds and may find a way to escape. This can be incredibly upsetting and stressful.
In the event that your dog has been lost, don’t worry, finding your lost dog is still highly possible.
Let’s take a look at what you can do if you lose your pet:
Search The Local Area Thoroughly
The sooner you search the local area, the more likely you are to find your dog before it gets too far. Consider letting neighbors know the dog is missing as you search so they can keep an eye on their yards and garages.
Once you have checked the local streets, go on to check the local parks and open areas in case your dog has found itself further afield.
Contact All Local Animal Shelters And Animal Control (Pounds)
It is a really great idea to file a report with your local animal control and animal shelters within 50-60 miles of where you live, or around where the dog was lost. You will be able to find the details of your nearest shelters online.
The police may also be of help if you do not have a shelter nearby as they can be called to deal with loose dogs in the community. This is especially important if your dog was stolen. Once you have filed a report, don’t be afraid to check in with the shelters daily.
Get The Word Out
Place posters and notices at your local stores, in areas where traffic is busy and anywhere you believe would help with your search.
You may also want to advertise on the local radio and online, to let as many people as possible know to look out for your pet.
Whilst you are advertising online, look out for posts from others about lost dogs found, as you never know if your dog may have been found with an organization you haven’t checked in with.
These three steps will help you ensure you are covering a wide range of chances to be reunited with your dog.
Watch Out For Scams
Dog theft scams are widespread. Do be wary of the fact that bad people may be trying to emotionally manipulate you by stealing your dog.
They would usually then follow the theft by getting in touch claiming they have found the dog, in order to get a reward from you. Or they might steal the dog to then ask for money in return for the pet.
In some instances, scammers have seen your missing dog advert and don’t have your dog but they will claim to have it, in order to extract money from you.
You can get some great tips on protecting against dog theft here. Get in touch with your vet or police department if you think you’ve been the victim of a dog scam.
Tips To Avoid Losing Your Dog
As with most things, prevention is always better than cure. Although dogs will sometimes simply find a way to escape, there is a lot we can do to prevent that happening, including:
- Utilizing local pet finder apps
- Providing them with an identity tag
- Getting the dog microchipped
- Securing the fencing to the yard
- Ensuring their leash and collar are secure, and that these are high quality (you can find these online on sites like Neewa)
- Giving them lots of obedience training
With lots of effort from you, your dog will remain safely in your care. If he does manage to escape, don’t worry, there’s so much you can do to find him again. A high percentage of dogs that go missing are quickly reunited with their owners.
In all instances, don’t stop searching. You never know where your lost dog might turn up. If you don’t stop searching, the chance of your dog being found continues to remain much higher than if you were to give up.
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