What to do if your dog is missing

[Paw-Talk]

Having a missing dog can be a very difficult experience, but it happens to even the most careful owners. The fact is, it’s not possible to supervise your dog at all times, and dogs are curious and like to explore. For example, it’s easy enough for your dog to slip out a door that has been accidentally left open, or to slip through a hole in your backyard fence. At some point in your dog’s life he may be lost so it’s important that you are prepared and have done what you can to make it very easy for him to be returned to you.

Identification

One of the first steps you should take is to make sure your dog has identification tags and that they are easy to read with up-to-date information. If your dog wasn’t microchipped or tattooed as a puppy you may want to consider doing this now. Tattoos or microchips are permanent forms of identification — unlike tags that can be lost. However, tags are what most people look for immediately upon finding a lost dog. Therefore, the most effective identification for your dog is a tag AND either a microchip or tattoo.

You should also have a "lost dog" kit ready just in case your dog goes missing. The kit should include photocopies of a recent picture of your dog and a description of him, along with your current contact information.

Prevention

Keep your dog leashed when he is outside. Check the fence in your yard regularly to make sure there are not areas where your dog could slip through. If you have houseguests visiting remind them to be aware of open doors and windows that might prove dangerous invitations to your dog.

Steps to take when your dog is missing

It's possible for your dog to go missing even with precautions. If this happens be proactive. Spread the word.

• Search the area and ask everyone you see if they have seen your dog.
• Hand out photocopies of a recent photograph of your dog with your contact information.
• Contact animal shelters and file a lost pet report. Your description of your dog should include sex, age, weight, breed, color and any special markings. Unfortunately, animal shelters are often very busy so it's important to follow up with them daily and not wait for them to contact you.
• Post signs with your dog’s description and a number that you can be reached at in neighborhood grocery stores, post offices and other busy locations.
• Place a newspaper or radio advertisement.

Most people who find lost dogs are happy to help reunite the dog with their owner. If the person is asking for a reward you may want to ask them a question about your dog's description or information on his tags that you haven't included in your signs or ads, just to ensure the person is legitimate. If you think your dog was stolen contact the police.

Copyright © 2000 KAL KAN FOODS INC.® , All rights reserved.

[sigh] if only more people would really take those precautions...

Yesterday while I was driving from work I saw a Golden Retriever crossing the street alone. It is a big street with three lines on both sides and tramway tracks in the middle...so there he stood....right in the middle of the street. I was so shocked! My first thought was that on such a big street he could very easily get hit by a car. So, I stopped my car right beside him...I stepped out of the car and called the dog. Surprisingly he came, I told him to hop in the car and he did - just like he is my dog and we know each other for years. The dog didn’t had any collar...no tatoo...nothing...and I believe he is between one and two years old.

I drove him to my home. BTW, I already have four dogs at home ( a female Golden Retriever and 3 Chihuahuas)...and none of my dogs was so happy about the newcomer :lol I immediately called four our city’s kennel club to see if anyone called to report a missing Golden Retriever male...but nope...anyway I left my phone number with them in case anyone does. Than I called for newspapers and gave the add that I found him - unfortunately because of the holidays the add won’t air until 9th May...and finally I printed adds on sheet of paper and I put couple of them on various places...(two very near to where I picked the dog and few near some bigger shopping malls in that neighborhood).

I was so sure that someone would call me few hours back but nope...two days already passed and nothing. One man called this morning who lost his Golden month ago. He came to see this one and we asked him to bring the photo of his dog...we also questioned him about other things regarding the dogs habits so we can make sure that we would be giving the dog to his real owner. The man came, with the pic and he was so disappointed - it wasn’t his dog.

In the meantime he really grew to my heart...he is such a sweetheart. He doesn’t show any signs that he is missing his old home. We play with the ball. I had to walk him seven times today. I live in the apartment and according to the dogs behavior it seams that he lived in a house with a yard - I think that because yesterday he pied three times in the house which is very weird. No adult dog who grew in apartment would do that I guess. He is also very disobedient on a leash. Yesterday when I walked him he was actually walking me (just imagine me running after him :lol)...and today I took things into my own hands and he is already behaving so much better. My female Retriever is very jealous of him...he is constantly jumping over her and she just shows her teeth

I really hope his owner will read my add somewhere and call soon...huh...

The owners of the Retriever finally saw my ad and called. I asked them to bring the picture of the dog just so we can make sure that it really is their dog, but when they showed up the dog was so happy...he started jumping all over them...We took a look at the picture they brought - it was the same dog all right, but even before that according to the dogs behaviour I knew that this were his true owners. They were so happy to see him too...he escaped from the house yard and they were searching him all this time. Weird, but they didn't think of calling the kennel club or looking for ads in the neighborhood. One of their neighbors told them that he saw the ad :lol Oh, all is well that ends well! I am so happy I made them promise that they will get him tattooed and take a better care for him in the future

[MimisGardenInc]

Found a dog in the middle of a busy street today! Pulled over, managed to wrangle him, no problem. Had 2 tags with 3 different phone numbers... luckily one worked. Owner was actually about a block away, on foot, looking for his dog. Owner and dog were quickly reunited, and I'm thankful for those tags! Found a pup once with the address listed, and so I just walked him home... owner didn't even know he had slipped out.