- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
No one thinks it could happen to them—until it does. Losing your dog is a heart-wrenching experience. The good news: an ASPCA survey discovered that among the 15% of households that reported losing a pet, 85% of those lost pets were recovered.
Acting quickly and knowing the right steps to take to find your dog can make all the difference. With the help of Leslie Poole, Executive Director of lost and found pet database Pet FBI, we’ll guide you through critical actions to take when your dog goes missing, including where to search, who to contact, and how to maximize your chances of their safe return.
The First Few Minutes
When you first realize your dog is missing, staying calm and acting fast is important. The first 24 to 48 hours are critical, so follow these steps right away to help bring your dog home safely.
1. Put out familiar items
“Immediately put out food, water, and your dog’s bed or an article of your clothing at the location where your dog was last seen,” says Poole. “There is a good chance that your dog may return.”
Dogs can detect familiar scents even from far away, so these items can help guide them back to you.
2. Get the word out
One of the most effective ways to find a lost dog is through flyers and posters. Start making flyers with a clear photo of your dog and your contact information, then post them around your neighborhood. Go door-to-door with the flyers so everyone in the neighborhood is aware your dog is missing.
3. Give clear instructions to people who are helping search
“Instruct everyone that is helping you to NOT call or chase your dog. This will prolong your search and cause the dog to move further away into unfamiliar territory and potentially into danger,” says Poole. “If someone does see your dog, advise them to sit or lay down (no eye contact) and gently toss out tasty treats to lure your dog in.”
When To Expand the Search
How do you know when to take further steps to find your lost dog? Even if your pet went missing in an unfamiliar location, about 80% of lost pets are found within a mile of where they were last seen—even if it’s far from home.
However, some dogs can travel much farther in a short amount of time. If 48 hours have passed with no signs of your dog, it might be time to expand your search radius.
1. Search familiar areas
Start by exploring areas a bit further out, especially places your dog might seek out for food, water, or shelter. Parks, wooded trails, and nearby neighborhoods are often good places to check, as well as any familiar spots where your dog has previously been walked or visited.
2. Increase the range of your flyers
“Flyers and signs are the number one way that lost dogs are reunited,” says Poole. “Every day your dog is missing, you should increase the search and posting area. Consider increasing the range that you post flyers by one mile each day.”
3. Use online resources
Post about your missing dog on platforms like PetFBI.org, LostDogsofAmerica.org, Nextdoor.com, Craigslist, and neighborhood Facebook pages. Many lost pets are found with the help of social media communities.
4. Keep track of any sightings
“This can give you insight into the locations your dog is frequenting,” adds Poole. If you’ve received calls with sightings of your dog, concentrate on distributing flyers in that area.
Vlad Yushinov via iStock
Where To Look
Dogs who are lost often hide in bushes or wooded areas because this offers them a sense of safety and protection from unfamiliar surroundings.
When considering different ways to find your lost dog, where you look can make all the difference. Below are some ideas to tailor your search strategy when you’re looking in specific areas.
Around your home (in familiar territory)
If your dog went missing near home, they might seek familiar, comforting spots. For example, dogs often hide in places that provide cover and safety, so look under porches, decks, garages, and any accessible sheds or outbuildings, and ask your neighbors to do the same.
“Search your entire house and garage to see if they have become trapped somewhere,” adds Poole. “Make sure you check the window wells, under any swimming pool or hot tub covers, and any place where the dog may have fallen.”
Away from home (in unfamiliar territory)
In an unfamiliar area, your dog might search for shelter or a quiet spot to hide. Start by looking in places that offer shelter, like bushes, alleys, and quiet corners of buildings.
Since unfamiliar surroundings can make dogs nervous, they may stay put if they find a safe spot, so check thoroughly before moving on. Revisit these areas often, as a frightened dog might stay hidden until they feel safe to emerge.
In a wooded or very rural area
According to Poole, dogs tend to follow food sources in wooded or rural areas, so that’s the best place to start.
“Find out where the outdoor cats are getting food and focus on that area first,” she says. “For example, spilled grain attracts rodents, which also attracts cats that people will feed to keep the rodent population down. Look for bird feeders, dumpsters, corn fields, and compost piles. Train tracks also have an abundance of animal carcasses that are an easy food source for a hungry dog.”
In an urban area
If your dog is lost in an urban area, they might search restaurant or convenience store dumpsters for spilled food.
“Pay special attention to areas where a dog might feel safe such as parks, cemeteries, quiet cul-de-sacs, and golf courses,” adds Poole.
AndreyPopov via iStock
Who To Contact
Reaching out to the right people and organizations can play a huge role in bringing your dog home. Here’s a rundown of who to contact as part of your search effort.
1. Microchip company
If your dog is microchipped, alert the microchip company right away. Confirm that your contact information is up-to-date, and ask if they offer additional services, like alerts to local shelters and veterinarians. Some microchip companies even partner with search organizations, which can increase your reach.
2. Neighborhood
Inform your neighbors, particularly those who live nearby, and ask if they’d be willing to keep an eye out or help you search.
3. Veterinary clinics
Contact local vet clinics and animal hospitals, because if someone found your dog, they might take them to a vet to check for microchips or injuries. Many clinics maintain a lost-and-found list and will alert you if anyone calls with a sighting.
4. Animal shelters and rescues
Get in touch with local shelters and animal rescues, letting them know that your dog is missing. Provide them with a description, recent photo, and your contact details.
“The length of time a shelter must keep your dog before putting it up for adoption varies by state,” adds Poole. “Be aware of the laws in your state and make sure you are visiting the shelters frequently enough to prevent the stray hold period from expiring.”
Be cautious of scams
Unfortunately, dog scams are common in the lost-pet community. Be cautious if someone contacts you claiming to have found your dog but asks for payment before they’ll return them. Legitimate finders will be more focused on reuniting you with your pet than requesting a reward or deposit upfront. Avoid sharing your address publicly, and only provide personal details when absolutely necessary.
Tools, Apps, and Trackers
When your dog goes missing, every resource counts. Thankfully, in today’s digital age, there are several tools and apps that can help you find your lost dog. Apps like PawBoost and Petco Love Lost are specifically designed to help reunite lost pets with their families.
PawBoost allows users to create “lost pet” alerts and shares them with local pet rescues, shelters, and a network of other users.
Petco Love Lost uses facial recognition to match photos of lost pets with animals found by others in your area.
Found Pets
The good news is that many lost pets find their way back home. Studies show that 70% of dogs are found within one mile of where they went missing, and if the pet parent actively searches, 90% of dogs are found within the first twelve hours. With quick action and the right resources, there’s a strong chance your dog will be back home soon.
Once your dog is safely home, consider a few preventive measures to keep them secure. Adding barriers, using GPS trackers, and reinforcing training can reduce the risk of future escapes.
