It’s every dog parent’s worst fear, the moment you realize your beloved pooch has gone missing. Your heart thuds in your chest and you can actually hear your heartbeat as your mind races with the possibilities. Don’t get overwhelmed, all is not lost. At Paws, we’ve heard tons of lost dog horror stories that end with happily ever after. We’ve put together some tips on how to prevent your dog from getting lost and what to do if the unthinkable happens.
Prevention:
*Always keep a collar with current identification tags on your pup at all times.
*Check your yard or patio for any weak spots: loose boards, gaps in fencing, etc.
*Make sure your fence is not low enough for your dog to jump. If you aren’t sure, don’t leave your dog outside unsupervised.
*When hosting a party, confine your dog to a quiet room with food and water or board him at Paws! Large crowds can spook your pup and you run the risk of him sneaking out when people are coming in and out of your home.
*During loud holidays (4th of July or New Year’s Eve), confine your dog to a quiet room with food and water or board him at Paws! Loud noises can spook your dog and may activate their natural reaction of “flight”.
*Talk to your vet about the benefits of getting your dog microchipped.
What To Do If Your Dog Gets Lost:
*Stay calm but be proactive.
*Search everywhere inside your home and backyard first. If your dog gets scared for some reason, it could go into hiding in the house.
*Once you’ve established that your pup is not inside your home, start with the area immediately outside your home. Call your pup’s name loudly, it might be enough to turn a wandering dog around.
*Check all local shelters, including your county shelter. Leave your contact info and a description of your dog if applicable. Check online lost pet registries often.
*If your dog is chipped, call in your dog’s disappearance. If found by a vet or shelter and scanned, you will be notified immediately.
*Use social media to your advantage. Post pictures, a description, and the circumstances of your dog’s disappearance on your social media sites and then ask your friends and family to share with their followers.
*Don’t underestimate the power of old-fashioned fliers. Make a flier with clear pictures, a description, and the circumstances of your dog’s disappearance. Post the fliers all around the area your dog went missing. Ask your local pet stores and coffee shops to post the fliers as well. The more people who know about your missing dog, the better chance of a reunion.
*Don’t give up hope. These things can sometimes take time. Keep checking with the local shelters and lost pet registries. Always get as much information as possible when responding to a lead.
We sincerely hope these tips help prevent your dog from getting lost. If your dog does get lost in spite of these safety measures, we hope these tips can help you find your best friend.
