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Have you ever lost your dog? Losing your best friend can be a very scary experience and cause a lot of stress. This last weekend, while I was out walking my dogs a car driving by stopped. The driver asked me if I had seen his dog, and unfortunately, for the driver of the car I hadn’t. However, talking with this man did get me thinking. What have I done or not done to help make finding my dogs easier, just in case I ever lose them?
Here is a list of some ideas I’ve come up with to help locate my dogs should they ever go missing.
- Ask for help from family and friends – while you’re searching, have someone making phone calls and taking care of getting your pet’s information online.
- Keep a collar and ID Tag on your dog – I use PawTags.
- Microchip your dog and make sure you register your information.
- Keep an up-to-date digital photo of each pet you own – for flyers, Facebook, Twitter, Craig’s list, etc.
- Contact Pet Places – Visit or call local animal control agencies, shelters, veterinary offices, pet stores.
- Call the Police – officers are usually more than willing to take a flyer and keep an eye out.
- Issue a PetAmberAlert
- Check online at found pet sites such as HomeAgain, FidoFinder, TabbyTracker, and LostPetUSA, Oliver Alert on Facebook.
- If your local TV or radio stations make community announcements ask them for their help.
- While searching for your dog, have his/her favorite toy that makes noise or shake a treat bag. Use something that your dog will recognize and come running.
- If your dog is missing for more than a few hours make Flyers and post them everywhere and not just in your town. You never know if someone may have found your dog and wants to keep him/her.
- Place a sign on your front door or in your yard with a photo of the missing dog and phone number. People will often drive or walk around looking for a lost dogs home.
What steps have you taken to help locate your dog, in case he/she is ever lost? Do you have any other helpful suggestions?
I have seen a documentary where they spent days looking for a dog lost in the woods. Then it finally came to them and they got a dog to look for their dog. Much more efficient way.
Never send a human to do a dog’s job.
Jana,
That is a great idea! Have scent hound would be another great way to find a dog. Here’s a good read Welcome to the world of scent by Kenzo the Hovawart.