Despite all your best efforts to protect your dog from getting lost, sometimes it can happen. If your dog does get lost here are some steps you can take to help try to find him.

Immediately go around the neighborhood your dog was last seen in. Call his name over and over again. Ask people you see on the street if they have seen your dog and to be on the lookout for your dog. Give his name, description and a contact number that you – or someone you have designated – will be available to answer 24/7. Knock on doors and ask people inside to be on the lookout for your dog.

Print up and hand out “lost dog” fliers. Post them all over the neighborhood. Give them to businesses to post as well as well as any local delivery people – mailmen, milkmen, florists, gas and oil delivery people etc – that travel around the area frequently. The fliers should contain a recent photo of your dog, his name and a contact number that someone is available to answer 24/7. It is also helpful to include the phrases “Reward. No questions asked” and “dog needs medication.” Both of these phrases can entice people to not only be on the lookout for your dog, but also encourage less upstanding people who might want to keep your dog to actually return him. The reward with no prying questions will be helpful, and it is the hope that someone who is trying to secretly keep your dog will think twice if they think your dog requires medical attention and expenses.

Call local vets, shelters (within about a twenty mile radius), the police department, the local highway and road department, and any other offices charged with picking up loose dogs. Describe your dog and fax each office a flier. You should then go visit the shelters, vets office, and any other establishment holding found dogs. Even though these establishments will have your flier with your dog’s photo on it, you know best what your dog looks like. Also, by introducing yourself to the staff at each establishment, you put a human face on your problem and this may make people more likely to keep your lost dog in mind. You should re-visit these establishments every 3 days.

Post lost dog notices in local papers and online. You can post a lost dog notice on our site by emailing us. You can also call local radio and television stations and appeal for them to make a free announcement about your lost dog. Similarly, you can write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper asking the editor to mention your lost dog.

In addition to all these steps, you also need to be aware of pet-recovery hoaxes. If a stranger contacts you regarding your lost dog, ask the stranger to describe characteristics of your dog that you have left out of your flier or posting. Never offer to give someone a reward until your dog has been returned to you, and never go alone to meet someone who claims to have your dog.