Donate

Tips for Finding a Lost Dog

Losing a dog is every pet owner’s nightmare – one moment they’re by your side, and the next they’ve vanished. In those first few minutes and hours, panic can set in, but staying calm and acting quickly is key. Whether your dog slipped out the front door, got spooked on a walk, or wandered off during playtime, there are proven steps you can take to improve the chances of a safe return.

Here are some essential tips for finding a lost dog and bringing your furry friend back home.

  • Notify the animal rescue group or shelter where you adopted your dog.
  • File a lost dog report with all local shelters in your area.
  • Create a Lost Dog flyer in color and in bold print large enough to be read by someone
    in a car. Include pet photo, pet info, your phone number, and incentive reward.
    Prepare the flyer in a WORD document, and then convert it to a PDF for printing and
    a JPG file for social media posting.
  • Start with printing 100 – 200 flyers. Print in color and on paper that is a bit heavier
    than normal copy paper if possible. Office Depot, Office Max, or Staples are good
    options.
  • Purchase plastic sleeve protectors. Get the ones marked “clear”, not the non-
    glare. Also buy clear packing tape, and a staple gun and staples.
  • Post the flyers in plastic sleeves around the neighborhood where the pet was lost,
    and at all major intersections, parks, retail centers, vet clinics, groomers, gas
    stations, etc. in the area. Make sure the flyers can be read by people sitting in their
    cars at red lights or stop signs. It is important how the flyers are placed. The more
    flyers put up, the better chance of the lost pet getting safely home. Dogs can travel a
    long way in a short period of time, so flyers need to be far reaching.
  • Put the opening of the sleeve on the bottom so the rain does not get in. On metal
    poles, place clear packing tape across the top of the flyer and wrap it all the way
    around the pole, and place tape on the bottom of the flyer and wrap it all the way
    around the pole so it seals the bottom. Thoroughly taping is the only way the flyers
    will stay up. On wooden utility poles, use the staple gun and put staples on all four
    corners and on the edges mid center, at least 8 staples total.
  • Stop anyone out walking, especially people with a dog, also stop local mail carriers,
    UPS & FedEx drivers and patrolling police/security officers. Hand them a flyer or ask
    them to take a picture with their cell phone so they have it handy. Ask them to call if
    they see your dog. And take flyers to local vet clinics, groomers, etc. in the area.
  • Dogs have a great sense of smell. Leave smelly food out in front of your house such
    as freshly cooked bacon. Place anything that he/she may recognize the smell of,
    such as bed, toys, your personal clothing, etc. Place some pieces of your clothing
    up high on a fence or in a tree so the wind will make the smell go farther.
  • Leave doors to the house and/or yard and garage open in case your lost pet
    returns. They often travel during the night and early morning. If everything is closed,
    they will likely leave again.
  • Visit the local shelters daily. In large cities, the daily intake number is so high, they
    do not have time to look for your pet.
  • Be sure to post flyers on NextDoor, Personal Facebook, Neighborhood Facebook,
    Instagram, Pawboost, Ring Camera app, etc. Ask people to share your posts. And
    keep updating the posts to let people know the status and location of any new
    sightings.
  • Search by bicycle or scooter if possible so you can get in out and of tight spaces and
    look under houses and parked vehicles, behind bushes, etc.
  • If you see your dog, NEVER attempt to chase your dog or yell frantically. Dogs will
    run even from their owners when they are scared. Remain calm. Walk slowly or sit
    down, speak softly, and avoid direct eye contact. Give them time to realize it is you.
  • If a stranger claims to have found your dog, ask them to describe your dog and text
    you a photo. Be wary of anyone who asks for money before they will return your dog.
  • DO NOT GIVE UP! Finding a missing dog can be a scary, stressful, and exhausting
    experience, but it’s important to keep hope alive. You never know when you’ll come
    across a person who has seen your pup, or when they might resurface at a local
    shelter. The next lead you get could be the one that brings your fur child home.

How to hang a flyer on a metal pole:

Make sure the flyer is visible for a person sitting in a car at an intersection. Or facing ajogging trail or sidewalk where people are on foot.

Place tape on the top of the flyer all the way around the pole. Place tape on the bottom of the flyer all the way around the pole also, making sure the bottom of the plastic sleeve is sealed. Redlines denote tape.

How to hang a flyer on a wooden pole:

Place staples on each corner and mid center of each flyer. The more staples the better.
Red stars denote staples.

Example Flyer:

Download and Print these tips

Finding A Lost Dog PDF