Here in North America we rely heavily on local Animal Control, municipal pounds, shelters and Rescue Organizations to care for lost, homeless or unwanted animals. Many of these are overflowing with dogs, cats and other animals whose owners didn’t take preventive measures to ensure their pets safety.
Steps to take to help find your lost dog
Posting Flyers:
Post Flyers about your lost pet within at least a 2 mile radius of where you last saw them. In fact flyers or posters with your the pets picture on it produce more ‘finds’ than other methods.
Tips on using Flyers:
- Use Fluorescent paper for high visibility
- List the date and place your dog or pet was lost
- List the Breed of Dog, Cat, Sex, Age, Weight, Color, Distinctive Markings as well as any characteristics like shy, friendly, skitish etc.
- Post the flyers waist level on telephone poles, vet clinics, pet food stores, grocery stores, community bulletin boards, churches, Laundromats, convenience stores and any other high traffic areas you can think of.
Good Tip:
Go back to the last area you were with your lost dog or pet and place a piece of your clothing or towel or blanket at that spot, make sure this item has your scent on it and your dog will come back to that area with the garment or towel or blanket and may wait for you there. It is worth trying and certainly can’t hurt.
Placing Scented Articles Outside Your Home
Along with my personal tip above you can also place bedding and or favorite toys outside your home, animals use their scent to find their way home as well!
Search Your Home Or Property:
Small dogs and cats kind get themselves into some peculiar spots, look in every nook and cranny you can think of, especially sheds and structures like that. Have all your neighbors check their sheds as well!
Searching The Neighborhood:
Dogs, cats and most animals have excellent hearing, while you scour your neighborhood or area you lost your dog call out it’s name, other good suggestions are to rattle a box of their cookies or treats while calling out their name, take one of his favorite squeaky toys and squeeze it as well.
Telling Your Neighbors:
Write down a description of your lost pet along with your telephone number and leave it attached to their door if they’re not home.
Call Vets
If it’s after 5 pm you can call emergency veterinarian clinics to see if anyone has brought in your pet.
Place Ads In Your Local Newspaper
Most newspapers provide free ad space or low cost ad space for people who’ve lost their pets, also check your paper as many people who find lost dogs or cats will run ads stating they’ve found a lost pet. Check any and all local publications you can regularly.
Contact Animal Rescue Organizations
Contact all Humane Societies, local animal control shelters, private shelters and pet rescue groups. Call and visit these groups and try to take a copy of your ad with full description and picture, make sure they have your phone number too!
When Your Pet Is Found
When you find your lost dog, cat or pet make sure you take down all your old flyers and advertisements and be sure to thank anyone who has helped you!
