What to Do if You Lost Your Dog

No matter how careful you are, sometimes Fido breaks free from his leash or escapes from the backyard in pursuit of a squirrel or simply because he feels like exploring the neighborhood. The good news is there are many ways to prevent your dog from getting lost, but if your dog does go missing, here’s what to do to help bring him home.

Sweep the Neighborhood

In many cases, a well-trained dog is the safest dog when it comes to not getting lost. If your dog knows and responds well to basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come”—as all dogs should—you’ll want to head outside and start calling his or her name and using a command like “come” (or other special phrases you know your dog would typically respond to, like “ride in car”) to see if that’s enough to bring Rover out from wherever he’s currently hiding in the neighborhood.

You might also bring a special treat or his favorite food to use his sense of smell to lure him home. Sometimes, leaving your dog's bedding or some clothing with your scent at the location where he went missing can help him find his way back.

Your dog may be scared, but depending on your pet's personality and how he may react when an unknown person approaches or attempts to pick him up, you should alert neighbors or local people about your missing dog and instruct them on how to approach him if spotted. Share his name and photos so that everyone nearby knows who they're looking for. If you have other dogs, recruit them too; their powerful noses might lead you to their friend.

Use Your Pet’s Microchip

Proper identification is crucial to finding a lost dog, including a collar with an ID tag and a microchip— so one of the first things you should do is alert your dog’s microchip company. The whole point of having your pet microchipped is to help find them if they’ve gone missing. Be sure to ensure that the contact information the microchip company has for you is up-to-date, particularly if you moved recently or changed phone numbers.

Print Some Fliers

Posting fliers may be old-fashioned, but it's still very effective. Print a flier with a current photo, a description of your dog, your contact information, and other relevant details about your pet's personality (such as if he tends to run when approached). Include a reward if you're offering one. Post your fliers in as many places as possible, including utility poles at busy intersections, and hand them out directly to people, from neighborhood children to your mail carrier. If you receive phone calls with sightings of your dog, go to those areas to continue your search and distribute additional fliers.

Rely on Social Media

Along with fliers, there is the power of social media to help find your beloved dog. Post an alert on your personal page and ask everyone to share. Also, post your dog's photo to as many local groups as possible; there might be Facebook groups dedicated to finding lost pets in your area. You can also set up a dedicated Facebook page where you can include extra information about your pet, and people can share it with friends or neighborhood organizations and post sightings.

Call Local Animal Organizations

If someone brings your lost pet to the nearest veterinarian's office, animal control, or animal shelter, ensure they know who your pet is in advance. Call them or visit with one of your fliers so they know how to contact you if your dog ends up in their office. Unfortunately, sometimes shelters have to turn away animals if they're full, so it's crucial they know in advance that if your dog comes in, he already has a home. Keep following up, as there's no guarantee they will call you if your dog appears.

Know Where to Look

 If hours pass and your dog is still missing, try to think like him where might you go if you were your pet? Consider places he knows and enjoys, such as a local park, as well as locations where he may feel safe and hidden, like wooded areas or cemeteries. You might also check near local fast food chains or restaurants, as a lost, hungry dog will be attracted to food smells and could potentially be found near a dumpster.

Don’t Give Up

No matter what, keep searching. Losing a four-legged family member is terrifying and heartbreaking, but even after several days or weeks, remember that your dog can become resourceful and rely on instincts to survive when alone. Stay diligent and persistent, continuing to share, post, and search until your beloved pooch is back with you.