Just some helpful hints that I found really informative when my dog
was lost.
1. ......if at all possible, leave a vehicle open at the exact spot
where the dog disappeared. Put some food and water on the floor
inside the car ... and something that has your scent on it .. and/or
the dog's own scent. Have people stay away from it except for quick
checks to see if the dog is curled up sleeping in the back ....
2. Notify all area agencies - Continue to -CALL AND VISIT YOUR
SHELTERS DAILY!
Animal Control, vets, groomers, shelters, police departments,
sheriff, radio & TV stations (maybe a human interest story?) ......
and keep checking with them. Take flyers to every office. Shelter
personnel get very busy . . . !
3. POSTER - FLYERS placed IMMEDIATELY! - be sure to include photo
of dog, dog's name breed, sex, color. Note if dog needs meds. MAKE
PHONE NUMBERS BIG. Keep your poster SIMPLE ... i.e. do not clutter
up flyers and posters with unnecessary information. Make words as
large as possible. (Note if using an inkjet printer, the print will
run if it gets wet. insert in plastic page protectors and staple with
flap facing down so that water won't ruin your flyer.)
4. POST FLYERS on telephone poles, in store bulletin boards or
windows, school bulletin boards & senior centers (older people KNOW
what goes on in towns!). Be sure to hand them out to meter readers,
school and commercial bus drivers, mail delivery people, UPS & Fed-Ex
drivers, sanitation workers, newspaper delivery people, Dept. of
Highways workers, florist delivery people, police and firemen - to
anyone who is outside working and may see the dog.
5 Enlist as many people as possible to help search. Children can
be a big help and they LOVE to have an important mission! Give them
some tempting dog treats to drop on the ground. Emphasize to
them: "Do NOT chase ". Instruct them to call you or some other adult
immediately if they spot the dog.
6 If you have another dog or dogs that are familiar to the lost
dog, grab a leash and some water and treats and take that dog
along.
7. Provide everyone cell phones and exchange all numbers. (This
requires that we all keep our cell phones charged up so they are
ready when we need them.)
8. Work in groups of two if possible. It's safer and you'll have
someone to circle around if needed.
9. Make sure the telephone numbers provided are covered 24 hours a
day.
10. Place ads in newspapers - make it big enough to be easily read.
11. Contact radio and TV stations and ask if they will put the info
on the air.
12. Visit schools and ask to place flyers in rooms. If possible
talk to the students. (Always report to the office before doing
anything on school property.)
13. Place flyers anyplace that has a bulleti n board - Walmart
usually has bulletin boards at the entry of stores, laundromats, pet
supply stores, grocery stores, gasoline stations, etc. Check back
often to make sure they have not been covered up or taken down.
14. Don't be hesitate to stop people on the street and tell them
about the missing dog, give them a flyer. Do not be afraid to ask for
help! Also, when you go into a store to ask to put flyer up
(preferably in front window) talk to the manager, explain about the
lost dog, look sad - after all, you are. If they put the flyer up,
thank them very sincerely. Talk to clerks, and customers if they are
not busy. Keep the missing dog in the public's eye. Talk to anyone
who will listen!
15. When flyers and posters get torn down, go back and put up new
ones immediately.
16. Check with area humane societies and rescue groups about
people who might be willing to help search, knock on doors, put up
posters, etc.
17. Keep recent photos available. Buy a cheap, one- time use
camera if necessary and take a photo of your pet BEFORE he is groomed
and then again after his haircut. If your dog got loose today, how
much would he resemble that freshly groomed photo? These don't have
to be great photos, just a shot of the whole dog. Ask your groomer
to help you do a before/after.
18. You don't have a recent photo? or any photo of this dog? That's
okay ... just go to the web and find a similar looking dog... the
public will not even know it's not the same exact dog. One rainstorm
and that poof won't look the same as in the picture anyway.
19. Don't give up!!! Never give up, someone somewhere knows
something!!
20. Take time to rest .. it'll provide the strength to go on
looking and if you are religious, it never hurts to pray. I did, and
Mady was returned to us.