Losing a pet is a traumatic and unpleasant experience, but finding him is one of the best! To make finding your lost dog easier, follow some of these basic guidelines.
Why do animals run away?
Animals run away from home for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most common reason is that they're curious. When they see something fly past the yard that looks interesting and they can get it, they will. They'll chase it for blocks and blocks and then, all of a sudden, they're lost. If they're not too far away, they can usually find their way back. The problem is, once they're out, animals don't always want to go home. Often times when you think your dog's lost and you’re set on finding your dog, he's having the time of his life!
Dogs also get left behind or forgotten about. To avoid finding your lost dog, make sure that he's locked up in a secure place. Always check his gate before you leave home. This way he can't go running after the cat in the neighbor's yard.
Searching for your dog
The first thing you need to do when you realize your dog's gone is look in all of the obvious places. Look under the bushes in your backyard, check out the trash cans and look under the bed. Basically look everywhere, even in places that you don't think your dog could or would go in. Remember, the key to finding your lost dog is a thorough search.
Next, rally the troops. Get your family and friends off their duffs and peruse your neighborhood. Chances are that Fido's hanging out in someone else's yard. While finding your lost dog, knock on every neighbor's door. Give them a good description of your dog and leave your phone number so they can contact you if they find the dog.
If you can't find your dog after scouring the neighborhood, put up "lost dog" signs. You should put a good picture of your dog on the sign as well as a clear word description. Leave your first name and phone number on the flier, but don’t disclose any more personal information. Finding your lost dog is important, but you don't want to become the victim of identity theft.
Your next option should be calling your local animal shelters. It usually takes hours before people cart lost dogs over to shelters, so you shouldn’t call unless your dog's been gone for quite some time. As a last resort, call your local road department. This department will be able to tell you if your dog was hit by a car. To avoid this call, keep your dog in a closed in area, always watch him when he's out and give him proper identification. The best solution to finding your lost dog, is not letting him get lost!
