How To Find Your Lost Dog

April 15, 2020

Loyal, sweet-natured, and always willing to make you happy, your dog is a well-beloved member of your family! It’s the beautiful moments you share with your furry bestie that makes losing them painful. You may try to puppy-proof your home and teach your dog to follow basic commands, but there’s always a chance they can run away. According to The American Humane Society, approximately 10 million pets are lost in the United States every year, and just a small percentage of these pets return home. When your dog becomes lost, they may become exposed to several dangers in the outside world, such as incoming traffic and diseases. 

If your dog has strayed far from home, avoid panicking. Take action as quickly as you can so you can bring your furry friend back home. Here are some tips to help you recover your lost dog: 

1. Use ID tags and microchips.

An ID tag and microchip are two forms of identification that can assist you in finding your lost dog. An ID tag, for example, allows your dog to be identified as a pet (not a stray), which allows strangers to approach them. ID tags typically include your contact information so you may be contacted as soon as your pet is found. A microchip works the same way! 

With a microchip, veterinarians and rescue shelters scan its code, and your contact information, dog’s medical history, and other valuable information appears on a database. Fortunately, we microchip every puppy at Petland to ensure that they’re reunited with their loved ones if they become lost. We also have a large selection of ID tags based on your preferred style and color. 

2. Enlist social media. 

Without a doubt, social media is a prominent way to communicate with others, locally and globally. As such, it’s a good idea to use this medium to find your lost dog. Many social media sites allow users to post pictures, videos, and other forms of visual content that can be shared with various users. On Instagram, for example, you can share a photo of your lost dog through its “Stories” feature and include important information that others may need to know about. 

Similarly, Facebook allows you to create pages dedicated to finding your lost dog, which you can share with your family and friends. You may also reach out to the administrators of “Lost Pet” pages so that they can share your dog’s information. Make sure to use relevant hashtags and location tags to reach more users in your local community.

3. Create a “Lost Dog” flyer.

A “Lost Dog” flyer can help you spread the word about your missing dog. When creating your flyer, however, it needs the following:

• A clear, concise design
• A bolded headline that says “Lost Dog”
• Clear picture of your dog
• Printed readable text

All parts of your flyers should be able to capture a person’s attention. Your bolded headline, for instance, should be placed at the top of your flyer to let the viewer know what they’re looking at. Your dog’s photo should also be clear so that the viewer knows what they look like. You should include your dog’s name, breed, size, and other valuable information at the bottom of the flyer in readable text.

You have the option to distribute your flyer around the neighborhood, but we recommend using the Internet. Social media and other websites are great places to display your flyer to a massive audience in your local area. Just make sure to enlist your relatives and encourage them to share your flyer across the web. 

4. Post messages to websites.

Along with flyers and social media, you should also employ the use of online forums and other websites. Websites like Nextdoor.com and petamberalert.com give you direct access to various members of your community. This can help you find your dog faster. When posting on websites, however, stay on alert for pet scams and illegal transactions.

Some users, unfortunately, use online forums to scam and commit fraud against desperate pet owners. They may claim that they’ve found your missing dog and disappear once they have a reward. Make sure to read every response you receive on your post before replying back. We also recommend creating a separate email address to find your dog. 

5. Call local animal hospitals and shelters.

Contact your local veterinary hospitals and rescue shelters within a 60-mile radius of your home. Provide pet rescuers with extensive details of your dog, including any defining traits they have and medical history. You can find a local shelter by searching online via Google and other search engines. If there aren’t any shelters nearby, you may also contact the local police department. Be sure to provide accurate information about your dog’s appearance, size, and breed. You should also mention if you believe your dog was stolen. 

Losing your dog is every pet owner’s worst nightmare. As soon as you realize your dog has escaped from home, keep calm and don’t give up. There are many stories of dogs reuniting with their owners after weeks, months and even years of being gone. Remember that your dog is intelligent and loyal to you. They likely miss you and want nothing more than to snuggle in your arms. That’s why we at Petland continue to observe National Lost Dog Awareness Day, and hope these tips help you find your dog!

Check out our blog, Top 5 Reasons Why Your Pet Needs An ID Tag to learn more about ID tags and how they benefit your furry buddy!