Start by thinking
about how far your dog could have traveled in that amount of time. Most dogs are found within two miles of their
homes, but a large, active breed could have traveled five miles or more. Also think about your dog and his
motivations. If he is not neutered and
is roaming about to establish, mark, or protect “his” territory or to find a
mate, remember to neuter him when he finally comes home! If he likes to play with children or other
dogs, check out places that hold those attractions. If he is the anxious type, look to see if he
is hiding in bushes or under a parked car. Cruise the neighborhood in your own car
and walk the streets in the mornings and evenings when he is most likely to be
active. Call him.
If Fido has not
been hurt in an accident, most likely some Good Samaritan has taken him into his
home, his car, or an animal shelter. Pat
yourself on the back for having the foresight to provide Fido with tags, but
realize that these tags may have been lost.
As you walk your neighborhood, carry a picture with you, and ask your
neighbors if they have seen the dog.
Children out playing and bicycling are particularly good sources of
information and may make good “scouts.”
Make up some
flyers with a description of Fido, his picture, the date, time, and location he
was last seen, your contact information, and the word REWARD in large letters. Post large flyers at busy corners in your
area where traffic is likely to slow down enough for the drivers to have a
chance to read it. Put smaller flyers in
neighbors’ newspaper boxes and hand them out during your searches.
Speaking of the
reward and of people contacting you, use your head. Criminals can easily use the information you
supplied in their efforts to collect the reward money, whether they really have
your dog or not. Or they could have more
sinister deeds in mind. Do not meet
anyone alone or in an isolated area.
When you write your description, leave one vital piece of information
out, so you know if the caller really has Fido.
My dogs are tattooed on their thighs, for example, but I would never
post the actually number on the flyer. I
would mention the dog is tattooed, and I would be sure to ask any caller
claiming to have my dog to read me the number.
The caller will not have any clue what that number might be unless they
have actually seen (or been in possession of) my dog.
Remember to
contact your animal shelters and animal control locally and in surrounding
communities. Visit the shelters
personally; do not rely on a phone call.
Ask the shelter how much time they give to dogs before they euthanize or
adopt out, and plan follow-up visits accordingly. If the local shelter holds dogs six days
before adopting out, I would check back at least every three days or so to look
for mine. Be sure the staff knows to
look for a tattoos or microchips your dogs may have. Ask for permission to leave a flyer posted at
the shelter for the staff and visitors to see.
Mail other small flyers out to area pet stores, kennels, veterinary
offices, groomers, and any similar location you can think of.
If you can afford
it, consider advertising in the lost-items section of your local
newspaper(s). You can post a free “lost”
ad online at Petfinder.com. Also check
the “found” ads in the classified sections of newspapers and online. Be as cautious about folks who contact you
from these sources as from the flyers.
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