Healthy Hound Missing Pet Search & Rescue

Healthy Hound Missing Pet Search & Rescue We are the original South African missing pet specialists! First in SA with dogs and handlers who undergo strict and regular training.

We have a team of highly trained handlers with awesome search K9s Healthy Hound is the original, most successful and most experienced missing pet unit in Africa. We have a team of dogs that are experienced in tracking dogs, cats, wildlife and more! Although based in Gauteng we have traveled to other provinces and have even had a callout to the Karoo as well as a callout to search for a dog on Tabl

e Mountain! But, it’s not all about our K9 partners. At Healthy Hound, we have an amazing team who are there to help and guide you from the minute your pet has been found and we will not abandon you until your pet is found. We have been involved with the searching and rescue of some high profile dog and cat searches and have been in local and National news many times. But, it’s not all about the news making searches! Our little team started in August 2020 when K9 Zizou had a career change at 1yr old from anti poaching to missing pet search. From the beginning, she has excelled as a search dog, even in difficult circumstances. Subsequently we have trained up a bunch of other dogs and strive for continuous training for handlers and dogs alike. We do not rely on just one dog and will pick the right dog for the job. And we use other search methods too if they are needed. We like to take a holistic approach to searching. We also do not just search! We also perform rescues (including technical rescue) and do regular work in communities such as our snare walks and other initiatives. We have done some dramatic rescues and some amazing investigations which have resulted in great success. With a success rate that is comfortably over 85% and the fact that we also do rescues, it is the logical choice to contact us when a pet goes missing.

When everyone said there was nothing there — Cairo knew better…. 🐾 🥰💖 Welcome Home, Roxy 💖Some cats like to keep their f...
13/11/2025

When everyone said there was nothing there — Cairo knew better…. 🐾 🥰

💖 Welcome Home, Roxy 💖

Some cats like to keep their families on their toes — and Roxy is definitely one of them! After having had a mouth injury and a rather long and extended hospital stay, this beautiful girl came home to find a new kitten in her space… (kitten was planned long in advance) and let’s just say, she was not impressed. A few days later, she vanished.

When we got the call, Cairo was the dog for the job. Calm, steady, and fresh from a morning of training — he was ready to work. He searched the entire garden, nose down, tail up, until he stopped at a small kids’ Wendy house. Cairo was certain Roxy was there.

Now, we’ve heard it all before: “There’s nothing there.” But when our dogs say there is — we listen. Years of scent training don’t lie. So, the team gently cleared some leaves with a piece of bamboo and… whoosh! Out shot Roxy like a furry little rocket! She made a quick dash to her favourite hiding spot under another Wendy house, safe and sound.

Cairo got his cuddles from Chad and his dad, and Roxy is now safely back indoors where she belongs (and probably planning her next dramatic chapter).

Cindy’s words say it all:

“She is safely back indoors, thank goodness 🙏🏻
Thank you again for helping us find her 🙏🏻😊
Your gorgeous boy is our hero of the day!”

Proof once again — when Cairo says she’s there, she’s there. 🐾

We always say it — trust the dog. You might not see what they do, but they know. Cairo proved it once again. Training. Experience. Teamwork. That’s what makes the difference.

Welcome home, beautiful Roxy — we’re so happy you’re back where you belong. 💕

🎉 Welcome Home Beau! 🎉What a challenge this girl gave us!When we first arrived to search with Bandit, the heavy rain had...
11/11/2025

🎉 Welcome Home Beau! 🎉

What a challenge this girl gave us!

When we first arrived to search with Bandit, the heavy rain had washed away all scent and we left empty-handed. But we don’t give up that easily — we went back on Sunday and Blue picked up scent leading into an area with limited access.

Sightings started again yesterday, though the rain made it difficult to reach her. Today, everything finally came together. Bandit did a stunning track, barking when he was close, while Diane deployed the drone. Together they flushed Beau from her hiding spot — and with the team, Bandit, and the drone working in perfect sync, she was safely ushered home!

Beau has been checked by the vet and given the all clear — well hydrated, no weight loss, and doing beautifully. ❤️

Her dad’s words say it all:

“Thanks once again for all your assistance, it’s been unbelievable.”

Welcome home, Beau — persistence, teamwork, and technology made all the difference!

📢 Why physical posters still matter 📢Social media is an incredible tool for spreading the word when a pet goes missing —...
10/11/2025

📢 Why physical posters still matter 📢

Social media is an incredible tool for spreading the word when a pet goes missing — but it’s not always enough.

Take Sky’s story: a German Shorthaired Pointer from Pretoria who went missing recently. Her mom printed and put up posters we designed and guided her on — and within hours she was found! The message came through:

“Hi, thanks to your poster she has been found.” 🐾

Here’s why physical posters are still one of the most effective search tools:
✅ They reach people in the area where your pet is missing.
✅ They’re visible to everyone — not just those online.
✅ They stay up, working for you 24/7.

So while social media spreads your reach, posters bring your pet home.

Moana Lisa is HOME! 💖When she went missing in Springs, her mom didn’t give up — even without the means for a physical se...
10/11/2025

Moana Lisa is HOME! 💖

When she went missing in Springs, her mom didn’t give up — even without the means for a physical search, she followed every bit of guidance we could give. We designed posters, planned the best spots to place them… and then the magic happened.

A child saw the poster, recognized Moana just two houses away, and spoke up. It wasn’t easy — the people keeping her didn’t want to hand her over at first — but with persistence, kindness, and determination, her family got her back where she belongs. 🐶✨

Sometimes it’s not the size of the action but the heart behind it that changes everything. We’re beyond happy that Moana is safe, and proud we could play a small part in her story. 💕

Sweet little Mishu went missing just after her family moved to their new home in Cape Town. 💔Although we weren’t there i...
07/11/2025

Sweet little Mishu went missing just after her family moved to their new home in Cape Town. 💔
Although we weren’t there in person, we guided her mom through some tips and tricks — and last night, Mishu made her way home! 🏡💖

Her mom’s words say it best:
“Your advice brought my baby home last night!!!”
“Your trick of advice was the only thing that worked — after 5 days she’s home 😍”

Even from miles away, we’ll always do what we can to help families bring their loved ones home. 💕

🌟 Welcome Home Jake 🌟Jake a young pup with a curious spirit, went missing from home — and despite many sightings, he alw...
07/11/2025

🌟 Welcome Home Jake 🌟

Jake a young pup with a curious spirit, went missing from home — and despite many sightings, he always seemed to vanish just before his family arrived.

Bandit was called in to help and quickly picked up Jake’s trail, which led us onto an open piece of private land with a palisade fence around it. After chatting to his dad, we decided the best plan was to lure him out safely while finding out who owned the area.

But by the next day, it was clear Jake had moved — or been picked up. No one was responding to the posters, so we changed tactics and started checking where he might have been taken… even heading into a local squatter camp.

Bandit’s presence certainly caught attention — play stopped, eyes watched, and our message spread: this dog is being looked for.
And it worked. Within hours, Jake was sighted… and finally, safely back home ❤️🐾

Welcome home, Jake. You had a whole team rooting for you every step of the way.

😻 Welcome home, beautiful Nova 💙When Nova — her mom’s little shadow — went missing, hearts broke. Our team went out a fe...
06/11/2025

😻 Welcome home, beautiful Nova 💙

When Nova — her mom’s little shadow — went missing, hearts broke. Our team went out a few times, and every time the dogs told the same story: Nova’s scent led to the drains. Kids nearby even confirmed sightings.

But with a territorial cat guarding the area around Nova’s house and limited cooperation from that cat’s mom, it wasn’t easy. We had a plan ready — to work calmly, carefully, and bypass the bully cat — but before we got there, panic took over. The drains were opened, and poor Nova bolted into the drain system.

We took a breath. We regrouped. And we kept going.
Patience, calm, and teamwork won the day. Luring continued — and finally, Nova appeared. Skinny, scared, but safe. 💙

Her mom’s words say it best:

“Thanks again for your amazing support.”

Sometimes, the hardest searches remind us — never to give up, even when the path runs underground.

02/11/2025

Peanut selfies! Yep… .dutchshepherds Peanut swiped the phone and took some selfies…

☀️

💔🐾 Sometimes grief makes hearts wander. 😭After losing her bunny 🐰 friend Daisy, and just a day before her kitty friend p...
01/11/2025

💔🐾 Sometimes grief makes hearts wander. 😭

After losing her bunny 🐰 friend Daisy, and just a day before her kitty friend passed, Suki disappeared. The last time she was seen, she had quietly padded into the room, looked at her feline friend for a long moment… and then slipped away. 💔

After a few days of her not coming home, her family was devastated and called us in to help. Cairo got straight to work (after a brief interruption from their little Yorkie, Fudge — who insisted on sneaking out just to meet Cairo 😄).

Cairo’s nose led us straight to a nearby drain, and he was certain Suki was there. Her mom followed the advice perfectly — set up the lure, waited patiently, and did everything right.

And it worked. ❤️

Suki came home. She’s safe, loved, and spending her days curled up close to her mom again — right where she belongs.

Welcome home, sweet girl. 🌙🐾

Bandit did an incredible job on this search! 🐾He tracked the Skye all the way to a nearby guesthouse, where a staff memb...
29/10/2025

Bandit did an incredible job on this search! 🐾
He tracked the Skye all the way to a nearby guesthouse, where a staff member confirmed that a guest had indeed been seen with a dog matching the description. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the guest had already checked out and left the property.

Posters were put up far and wide — and it wasn’t long before the little one was spotted! It appears the dog had been taken and later given to someone else, but thankfully she managed to get out and was seen again shortly after.

From Skye’s mom: “I still think someone had her in their house
Maybe she got out somehow” “Tx to you we did not give up hope” - Alta

We’re grateful for everyone who kept their eyes open and shared sightings. Bandit’s work gave us the vital lead that helped piece together what had happened and kept the trail alive. 💛

14yrs ago today… KD (this pic is not Axl although we think Axl may be him reincarnated) and I searched for a kitty cat n...
24/10/2025

14yrs ago today… KD (this pic is not Axl although we think Axl may be him reincarnated) and I searched for a kitty cat named Mouse. The 2 were good friends and KD had a bit of tracking experience so we tried to use him. To date Mouse was never found so knowing what I know now, I suspect one of the bigger birds of prey may have gotten him as there was a resident gymnogene that visited the complex.

It was this search that started the idea for what we (myself searching with James and Charlotte helping with training) started nearly 5,5yrs ago.

Thank you KD - aka old man - for starting us off. Our name is also in memory of him as today 6yrs ago he passed away from a heart condition. Love you still my old man.

❤️

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