What to do if your pet goes missing

CALL

Your local Dog Warden /s, (Call everyday )

The police, although making them aware does not mean they have the resources to search. But get a crime number, not incident number, if theft is involved.

All local vets.

Rescue centres, pounds and kennels – Call and visit everyday – not all chipped dogs are scanned so apart from making them aware of your pet, by visiting you can visually identify if the chip has not been located..They are very busy and deal with many dogs on a daily basis....yours is just one of them and got be forgotten.

Contact www.lostlabs.com and other websites, get a photo and details of your pet to them as quick as you can. The Alert list goes into action as soon as you make contact informing all helpers in your area.

You local Labrador rescue representative

Pet shops, local stores, Training schools

Your local radio station, asking for an announcement to go out. Local newspaper.

Local regular delivery staff, postman, milkman, burger van.

Make up posters and distribute as you search. Anywhere where dog walkers, owners would go. And get one to all the above.

Detail the obvious, breed, gender, colour, age, size, height and weight ( you can get big pups and small adults ! ) Any distinguishing marks or scars, colour of eyes, any broken teeth, are the ears the same or does one stuck up or out, if an older dog is the muzzle greying ?

Are there any surgical scars, spaying, hips, elbows? ( see ' MOT your pet ' thread )

Whether entire or neutered, micro chipped and / or tattooed, DNA?

Colour / type of collar and did it have name and contact details attached ?

Is you pet nervous of strangers, is it a barker?

SEARCHING

Scared dogs don’t recognise by sight, they hear and smell you.

If you use the same walks, particularly if you haven’t driven there, sprinkle some of your urine or the contents of your hoover bag mixed with some water down that will leave your scent there and the dog will not want to leave that area.
If pup is still local, lay a single trail back to your door. It will run into the smell.

Check your local neighbourhood thoroughly, using only friends the dog knows and likes.

Take a torch, this will reflect off dog’s eyes if scared or hiding in shadows.

When calling for your pet use a loud but kind tone of voice. If your pet ran off because it was spooked it may think you are cross with it.

Have a spare collar and lead as the original one may be damaged or missing.

Take a high pitched whistle, this carries further than your voice and a curious dog may come to investigate.

Have with you a blanket, you won’t know what shape your pet is in when located, it will double as a stretcher. For this same reason have a phone with you. Carry tasty treats, smelly fish, cheese, sausage, liver cake, your pet’s favourite…..

If your pet has a canine friend, take it with you as this may entice them out.

Check out cafes and restaurants, burger stalls, the smells may draw a hungry dog to them.

Leave food and water in your garden should they come home along.

Ask a friend to stay in the house while you are searching in case a call comes in saying your dog has been found.

Remember that when your pet is located it may well need a check over at the vet but may also be disorientated, scared and confused……not to mention hungry and thirsty.

As a foot note, when you have your pet home it is helpful and courteous to inform those previously contacted so they can then concentrate their efforts on other lost pets.