Losing a dog is a traumatic experience for both the pet and it's owner. Lost dogs are scared and confused, and they will instinctively revert to survivor mode to find food, water, and shelter. Scavenging to survive may cause health problems. When found, your dog may see you as a complete stranger. But there are steps you can take to find your dog, return it to health, and prevent escapes in the future. It will take focus, organization, and most of all, patience.
Behaviors
To track a lost dog, you need to think like a lost dog.
Searching
Where to look & how to enlist help; someone's seen your dog.
Flyer Basics
Keep flyer simple.
Trapping
A humane cage trap may help.
Sightings
Track and validate sightings to uncover patterns.
Dog Spotted (Now What?)
Patience, non-threatening behavior, food are key.
After the Rescue
Give your dog a hug AND the care it needs.
Loss Prevention Tips
An ounce of prevention...
Debbie's Rescue Story Debbi
and her new friend Rudy
Resources
- Tatoo Information
- Sample Flyer
- Sample Handout for the Neighborhood (PDF format)
- Sample email (PDF format)
- Sample detail form for ACO (PDF format)