"I can't find my dog" is a sentence no dog owner ever wants to say, but it happens. Your dog could get lost while hiking, after getting scared by a loud noise or after a gate has been left open.
"When you notice your dog has disappeared, panic can set in and you will not think clearly", says Michelle Sevigny, founder of Dogsafe Canine First Aid and author of Operation Find Fido: How to Find a Lost Dog Fast, "so it is essential that you have a written action plan before it happens."
Sevigny, a former Vancouver police officer, offers the following tips:
- Design "lost dog" flyers in advance so you can start your search immediately. Use "lost dog" as your heading and add your dog's name, breed and description, if unusual or a mixed breed, plus contact phone numbers. Include two colour photos that accurately portray your dog, a head shot and full body shot. Write "still missing" for date last seen and leave a blank space for "last location seen" and add "but could be anywhere." Add "do not chase" and write that although your dog may be friendly, while lost, the dog could be cautious and chasing puts it at risk. The goal of posting flyers is to get reported sightings to allow you to focus your search, not to have your dog captured by strangers.
- Remain at the last place your dog was seen and have a volunteer replace you before you leave in the event your dog returns. Have a volunteer stay at the most likely places your dog may return to such as the trail entrance, your home or your car.
- As soon as possible, conduct a thorough search around the area where your dog was last seen using as many volunteers as possible. Stop periodically to listen, especially if in the bush, as an injured dog may hide from view. Use a favourite squeaky toy or treats for temptation. Flashlights are essential at night as an injured dog may purposely hide.
- Post lost dog flyers everywhere, including at locations where people browse or wait. Don't forget to keep track of where you have posted flyers. Go door to door in the area where your dog was last seen. Give copies of flyers to willing newspaper delivery people, school crossing guards, postal workers, couriers, etc., as they are out and about every day.
- Contact local shelters, animal control, veterinarians, rescue groups and other dog businesses to report your lost dog and increase awareness.
- Place a lost dog ad in the local newspapers, post on Facebook and create an e-mail that you can forward to all your dog friends.
- Be prepared for phone calls about sightings 24/7 and change your voice mail message to "If you are calling about our lost dog, please leave the exact location and time of any sightings and a call back number if you wish," to prompt information. If you receive a call from someone stating your dog has been found, keep safety in mind. Meet in a public place and go with another person. Be aware of scams such as anyone requesting you send money out of town before your dog will be shipped home.