It’s the nightmare of any pet owner: your beloved pet is missing. You’ve scoured the neighborhood calling his or her name to no avail. Now it’s dark and you are facing a sleepless night. Pets can run away or become lost for many reasons such as fear, boredom, loneliness, sexual urges, new surroundings and many more. Getting your dog back so they can get the dog services they need to ensure they were not injured during this ordeal.
The best-case scenario is someone finds your pet and takes him in or to a local pet store or dog services and you are contacted. If he’s wearing identification or has an implanted microchip, the odds increase that a call will be coming. If that isn’t the case, here are some tips:
Organize a Search Party
Talk to friends and the local dog services to let them know about your dog and what to look for. The more eyes looking for your pet the better. Start your search by contacting neighbors and friends to enlist their help, knocking on doors and making phone calls, until you’ve reached everyone.
Create a List of Entities to Contact
This includes rescues, shelters, animal control, animal hospitals, pet stores and then divide the duties up. A long list of contacts is less formidable if each person has one phone call to make. Just about any place that offers dog services should be contacted. While you are out searching and calling, bring along a favorite squeaky toy, the sound of your voice combined with that familiar squeak may make a frightened, hiding pet come running.
Post lots of flyers
Fashion big, colorful posters that catch the eye and hang them in local markets and dog services. Display the word REWARD prominently to let people know it’s important to you. Include a photo. If you are in a bilingual community, post signs in both languages. Note where your dog was last seen, his name, age, color or breed and the color of the collar. In addition to large signs, smaller signs can double as mailers. And start posting. Place your sign in traffic areas, where people walk, at intersections, at entrances to parks, near school bus stops, near grocery stores and coffee bars. Don’t forget animal hospitals, kennels, groomers, shelters, local rescues and pet stores.
Use Social Media
