12/02/2023
Ｓｉｍｐｌｅ Ｗａｙｓ ｔｏ Ｆｉｎｄ Ｙｏｕｒ Ｌｏｓｔ Ｐｅｔ
𝖬𝗈𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖬𝗂𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖯𝖾𝗍𝗌 𝖶𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖥𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽 𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝖮𝗐𝗇𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖣𝗂𝖽 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌
A missing pet is not only distressing but painful for any dog owner. It’s easy to give in to panic if you find out your pet is missing, but it’s important that you remain calm and methodical. There are ways to find a lost pet, but you must not waste any time and start searching immediately.
1. 𝐏𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝
You daily tasks aren’t as important as your animal’s life. You need to do whatever it takes to make time to search for your pet.
• Check your home and your immediate surroundings. Is your dog scared? They may be hiding nearby. Could they have gotten stuck somewhere? Check inside the:
o closets
o shed/garage
o pool
o cars
o basement/attic
o garden
• Call and verify your lost dog’s microchip contact information
If your lost dog has been microchipped, call the microchip company to make sure your contact info is up to date. That way if someone finds your dog and brings them into a vet or shelter, the microchip ID can be scanned and they can look you up in the microchip database. If your contact info is correct and all goes well, you may receive a call-in case your lost dog is found.
• Make sure you’re glued to your phone as it is important that the number you’re about to post everywhere be answered.
2. 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐬
Before you expand your search for your lost dog, ask yourself these questions:
• Did your dog go missing near home, or in an unfamiliar area?
• Was your dog frightened away by something, or looking for an adventure?
• Are there places or people nearby you know your dog may have gone to visit?
• Are there dangers nearby, places where your pet could get stuck or in trouble?
• How far do you realistically think your dog could have traveled in the amount of time they’ve been lost?
• Is your dog active and fit and likely to have run further, or laid-back and less active?
• How long has your dog been running?
• The answers to these questions can help you narrow down your search radius and search smarter.
3. 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐬t
If your dog has not returned to you yet, it’s time to take action to bring them home. Searching the immediate surroundings and larger radius of where your dog was lost will increase your chance of finding them. Here are some tips to help you on your search:
• Call your dog’s name: Call your dog’s name clearly and calmly – you don’t want to frighten your dog further by making them think you’re angry.
• Check the CCTVs right away in your area to see which direction your pet went or if someone picked your pet up.
• Ask others to help you search: Ask family, friends, neighbors, or others nearby to assist you in the search. If a stranger finds your dog, ask them to call and inform you first before they approach the dog. An unknown person approaching a lost dog could make them even more afraid.
• Bring clear photos of your dog: Show your dog’s picture to neighbors and other people you come across; leave them a copy of the photo with your phone number on the back.
• Make sure one person stays home: While everyone is out searching, ensure that at least one person stays home to receive your dog should they come back on their own.
• Keep your door open: If your dog was lost at home, or while staying at a friend’s house or holiday home, be sure to leave the house door and gate open, so that they can return home on their own.
• Bring your dog’s favorite toy or treat: Dogs can follow scents for miles, so place their favorite blanket, bed, or chew-toy outside the front door of your house. Also bring toys and treats with you on your search.
• Retrace your path: Revisit the areas you recently or frequently walk with the dog – you may find that they have returned to these familiar areas in their search for you.
• Ask the locals if anyone has seen your dog: While you are searching the area where your dog was lost, ask people you come across if they have seen your dog recently. Leave your phone number with them in case they do find or see the dog.
• Expand your search: If you still have not located your dog, expand your search to the wider area. Drive through the neighborhood to cover more ground if necessary.
4. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡
• Use social media to find a lost pet.
• Post flyers with your pet’s current photo and your contact info.
• Report to the Barangay they can assist you in announcing and searching the missing pet.
• Don’t skimp on the reward.
5. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬
There may be more than you think. Call each one and ask them for other possible places to check. Do this every time you call, because different people may have different leads.
6. 𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉
Hopefully, the steps above are able to help you find your lost dog within the first day or two. However, if a few days go by and you’re still facing a dead end, don’t lose hope. There have been many cases of dog owners getting reunited with their pets even after months of separation. Continue checking shelters and animal rescue centers on a regular basis.
It can be easy to get discouraged if your dog goes missing for any significant amount of time. But many worried dog parents like yourself have been in your shoes and were eventually successfully reunited with their beloved dogs again. No matter if it takes hours, days, weeks, or months, do not lose hope that you can and will find your dog someday.
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