How To Find Your Lost Dog

Losing a dog is one of the most upsetting things an owner can experience

. It's hard to think straight when your dog is missing. But there are some things you can do -- both before and after your dog is missing -- to improve your odds of seeing your dog again.

First, before your dog ever disappears, it's a good idea to make sure she has some kind of permanent identification. Whether it's a microchip or a tattoo, permanent ID makes it much more likely that if someone finds your dog they will know that she has an owner and they will know how to contact somebody. If your dog has permanent ID you can register her with a organization like Companion Animal Recovery. When someone finds your pet they can have her scanned for her microchip or call the phone number on her tattoo to let CAR know she's been found. Then they can contact you.

Keep a collar and tags on your dog. A collar and tags tells people that your dog is not a homeless stray. She is simply where she's not supposed to be -- and someone is probably looking for her. If she is picked up by animal control they can quickly check her tags to locate you.

If your dog is lost then you should try to remain calm, as difficult as that is. Many dogs stay in the same neighborhood. Your dog may be on the next street. Get organized. Keep your phone with you at all times or have a person who can stay by the telephone at your house. Try to have one person who is dedicated to making posters. Use a photo of your dog. Put your phone numbers on the poster. You can say that you are offering a reward but do not put the amount -- that could encourage someone to keep the dog if they think she is very valuable.

While someone is making posters, you should be walking and driving the streets where your dog was last seen. Go slowly, call her name. Have treats with you. Stop and talk to people to ask them if they've seen your dog. Show them a picture.

Take flyers with your dog's picture to convenience stores in the neighborhood where she was seen. Take them to the post office and ask mail men if they will take flyers so they can watch for her. Go to the school bus depot and ask drivers to take a flyer. They go everywhere and see everything. They may notice your dog.

If you know kids in your neighborhood, see if you can get them involved in looking for your dog. Many times dogs are found by kids. They know everything that goes on in a neighborhood.

Don't forget to check with your local shelter and with rescues every single day. Remember that once your dog has been gone for a few days she may be dirty and matted. She won't look the way she does in her picture. Someone who doesn't know her may not recognize her from her picture. Go visit the shelters and rescues yourself to see if she's there.

Put an ad in the paper and check the paper every day for ads about found dogs. Call in to radio programs about your dog.

Above all, don't give up. Many dogs are found weeks and months after they are lost, especially if they have a microchip.

by: Tristan Andrews

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