Tips on How to Find a Lost Pet
When dogs get lost, it can be devastating. Dogs
are part of our family and when Rover goes missing it is natural to be
worried sick about your pet's well-being.
The good news is, many lost dogs ARE found. There are
numerous things you can do to help get your beloved dog back. Like most
pet owners, you will want to exhaust all possible leads to try to bring
your pet home. While you may have thought of a number of ways of trying
to find your dog, here are as many tips as we could compile on how
to find a lost pet.
Microchip Your Dog
Hopefully you have already had your dog micro-chipped.
If so, contact the microchip company in case someone finds your dog or
tries to change the ID on the microchip.
Post Flyers
Post flyers in your area describing your dog.
Leave out a key bit of identifying information, such as the white spot
behind your dog's left ear, for example, to help weed out any phony callers.
That way only someone who really found your dog could describe the identifying
mark.
Put flyers in every mailbox in your area if you can.
Also post fliers at vet offices, groomers, doggy daycare centers, dog
parks, kennels and pet stores.
Run Ads
Run ads in the "lost and found pets" section
of your newspaper and other publications within a 50-100 mile radius of
your home, and be sure to check the "pet found" section.
Visit Animal Shelters
Physically visit all the animal shelters in your
area and within a 50-100 mile radius. Since animals can roam, it's possible
your dog is at a shelter outside of your immediate area. You should visit
each shelter in person rather than calling, because the person you get
on the phone may not be aware of new arrivals to the shelter, plus you
are the only person who can positively identify your dog. Bring proof
of ownership such as microchip information, dog license and a photo of
your dog.
If your area has a pet assistance league or something
similar, contact them with your dog's information. These services try
to reunite people with their lost pets.
Visit Petfinder.com
Petfinder.com
is a website with a searchable database of dogs available for adoption.
You can also post classified ads about your missing dog. It also lists
local shelters and rescue groups that may be resources for you.
Post Your Dog's Info and Photo on Shelter Web Sites
Post your dog's information and photo on animal shelter
websites, and look through the shelters' web sites to see if your lost
dog is posted there. Look at all dogs, as you never know how dogs may
be described.
Why You Should Read ALL "Found Dog" Ads and Listings
Keep in mind that people sometimes mistake breeds and
not everyone may describe a dog (or anything else) in the same way, especially
if you have a mixed breed. For instance, some people may think a Bichon
Frise is a poodle or describe a brown dog as gold, and some people may
even get the dog's sex wrong. So read all "found dog" ads that
describe a dog that even vaguely sounds like yours.
Be positive and don't give up.
If, sadly, your missing dog is not found, at least you will know you have
done everything humanly possible to find him.
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