Lost dogs (may this never happen to you but here’s the info just in case….)
I have to confess to having (temporarily) lost my dogs on walks. A few seconds of distraction and then the blood-chilling realisation that they aren’t trotting next to me. There are some important steps to take in the unfortunate event that your dog goes missing. The advice below, is adapted from information provided by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home: https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/lost-and-found-dog-advice/lost-dog and from Drone Search & Rescue. Drone S&R say that 9 out of 10 dogs will go back to where they went missing from so following the advice below about clothes, food etc is very important.
1. Check areas your dog is familiar with
Firstly, if you have a small dog, check anywhere within the house and garden where they could be hiding or stuck, including cupboards, behind furniture, in sheds etc. Search areas where you would normally take your dog for a walk or, if you’ve moved recently, ask around at your old address. Ask your neighbours to check anywhere where your dog may have got trapped such as sheds or garages.
2. Facebook
If your dog has gone missing from or near home, you might be able to mobilise help quickly via your local Facebook group if you are, or know, a member who can post a message on your behalf. Your county/region might have a Facebook Animals Lost and Found page. Ours for Blockley is Animals Lost and Found Gloucestershire.
It can be very hard to remember to include essential information in the stress of the moment, so here’s what we’d suggest including:
And then there’s advice to people kindly out looking for your dog:
You could also ask if there is someone who has a drone to help search for your dog
3. Where your dog went missing
Leave some items of family unwashed clothing or anything with the body scent on of the person the dog has most bonded with and leave with a little bit of smelly food eg tinned sardines, smoked cheese, chicken, or anything smelly etc, near to where she went missing from. This needs doing ASAP. Polo/tee shirt, PJ’s, old well-worn coat, walking boots with smelly socks inside, even the bottom sheet from the bed works. As much unwashed clothing as possible to get the scent airborne ASAP. If the dog has gone missing from their house/garden, leave some items of family unwashed clothing and a little bit of food outside in your front garden and if it’s safe to do also leave your garden gate, and a house door slightly open so should she make it back to the home she will have easy access back into the home.
4. Contact Doglost
As soon as possible, register your dog with Dog Lost https://doglost.co.uk/ They are connected via social media with kind people around the country, who can publicise details of missing dogs. Their other free services include being able to create a poster of your missing dog which can be printed off and put on local trees etc, as well as going on social media, via email etc. They also have an additional paid for service which places ads on social media (eg Twitter) in the area where the dog went missing.
5. Contact Drone SAR (Search and Rescue)
They’re only contactable via Facebook, and are excellent at finding local people with drones who can help look for missing dogs. They work closely with DogLost and will give you important advice about how best to get your dog safely home.
6. Report your dog missing to your microchip company
Inform your microchip company that your dog is lost as soon as possible, this will stop someone being able to try and change the microchip details. Equally it is an opportunity to check that your details are up to date should anyone find your dog and need to contact you. Some companies, such as Petlog, will also be able to send out alerts of your missing dog to their network.
7. Contact your local dog warden
Your local Council’s dog warden service will collect any stray dogs found wandering the area. Contact your local authority and surrounding areas as your dog may have wandered further than expected. The local one for Blockley is Cotswold District Council https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/environment/animals-and-wildlife/dogs-lost-and-found/ or phone 01285 623000
8. Make a report to your local animal rescue centres
Many rescue centres keep a lost and found database where your details can be saved in case a match is found.
9. Report your dog missing to nearby vets
Check with local veterinary surgeries as if your dog has somehow become injured. they may have been taken to a local vet for help. See below for list of local vets
10. If you suspect your dog has been stolen, report it to the police
They may be aware of similar activity in your area and be able to help you.
11. Spread the word
Put the Doglost posters inside plastic sleeves to protect them from the rain if they're outside. Put them up in local shops, vets, pubs, notice boards, the area where your pet went missing and through the doors of neighbouring streets. Register your dog on any lost and found websites and share on social media.
When you find your dog please remember to inform everyone who is keeping an eye out for them and take down any lost dog posters.
Other possible actions to find a missing dog
Setting up a feeding station and camera
Doglost can help with this. This might work if there’s a particular area where your dog might be, and where the feeding station won’t be raided/emptied by other animals. You could ask on local Facebook etc groups if people have an outdoor camera/webcam you could borrow.
These other services might be possible depending on your budget, their availability etc
K9 Tracker
http://www.k9tracker.co.uk/
While this is one heroic lady and her beagle, so they can’t cover all dogs across the country, apparently she can provide very helpful advice on the phone.
Pet Detectives
https://thepetdetectives.com/our_services/Missing_and_Stolen_Dogs
“Working with a professional Pet Detective significantly increases the likelihood of being reunited with your stolen dog. We have been recovering stolen pets since 1994 and are the only private detective agency in the UK specialising in the recovery of stolen dogs. If your dog is missing then the chances are that right now you don't know whether your dog is simply running loose or has been stolen. This is why you need an experienced professional pet detective to work with you.
We will be able to identify immediately whether we are dealing with the theft of your dog or a runaway, which ensures that the most effective plan for recovering your missing dog is implemented as swiftly as possible. We also have a network of contacts spanning right across the UK and work closely with many police forces, national media, local authorities and many animal welfare organisations all of which will be utilised to help recover your missing dog.”
Links and contacts
Some local vets – not a comprehensive list!
Hook Norton 01608 695305
Abbey Green 01386 852421
Stow on the Wold 01451 830620
Shipston 01608 661232
Vets 4 Pets 01386 769300
ANIMAL SEARCH UK - search service and website for missing pets
01432 266 900 www.animalsearchuk.co.uk
BATTERSEA DOGS & CATS HOME MISSING PETS POSTER
http://www.bdch.org.uk/files/BDCHLostPoster.doc
COTSWOLDS DISTRICT COUNCIL DOG WARDEN
01285 623000
DOGLOST.CO.UK - national online database of lost and found dogs
0844 800 3220 www.doglost.co.uk
DRONE SAR For Lost Dogs UK (Search and Rescue)
Via Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/134125720518945
NATIONAL MISSING PETS REGISTER - information, resources and assistance in making the most of the internet to reunite missing pets with their owners.
www.nationalpetregister.org
PETLOG – national lost and found database for microchipped pets
0844 4633 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm) www.petlog.org.uk
This information can be downloaded as a Word file by clicking the Download File button below.
I have to confess to having (temporarily) lost my dogs on walks. A few seconds of distraction and then the blood-chilling realisation that they aren’t trotting next to me. There are some important steps to take in the unfortunate event that your dog goes missing. The advice below, is adapted from information provided by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home: https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/lost-and-found-dog-advice/lost-dog and from Drone Search & Rescue. Drone S&R say that 9 out of 10 dogs will go back to where they went missing from so following the advice below about clothes, food etc is very important.
1. Check areas your dog is familiar with
Firstly, if you have a small dog, check anywhere within the house and garden where they could be hiding or stuck, including cupboards, behind furniture, in sheds etc. Search areas where you would normally take your dog for a walk or, if you’ve moved recently, ask around at your old address. Ask your neighbours to check anywhere where your dog may have got trapped such as sheds or garages.
2. Facebook
If your dog has gone missing from or near home, you might be able to mobilise help quickly via your local Facebook group if you are, or know, a member who can post a message on your behalf. Your county/region might have a Facebook Animals Lost and Found page. Ours for Blockley is Animals Lost and Found Gloucestershire.
It can be very hard to remember to include essential information in the stress of the moment, so here’s what we’d suggest including:
- Dog’s photo
- Dog’s name
- Dog’s breed, size, colour etc
- Colour of their collar/harness/coat
- Your contact phone number
- Where and when your dog was last seen
- Where they might have gone to – their home, their favourite walks, back to the car (especially if they are new to or just visiting the village) etc
And then there’s advice to people kindly out looking for your dog:
- What food (eg sausages, liver – smelly food), smells, sounds (eg squeaky toy, whistle, their name) your dog responds to
- How best to approach your dog if someone finds them, to avoid scaring the dog and them running off. Or should they not try to get hold of the dog but phone you instead?
- Do they need to bring a slip lead (which is a combined lead and collar which can relatively easily be slipped over a dog’s head) or an appropriately sized collar/harness if the dog didn’t have one on?
- Your phone number
- Torch if dark or getting towards end of daylight
You could also ask if there is someone who has a drone to help search for your dog
3. Where your dog went missing
Leave some items of family unwashed clothing or anything with the body scent on of the person the dog has most bonded with and leave with a little bit of smelly food eg tinned sardines, smoked cheese, chicken, or anything smelly etc, near to where she went missing from. This needs doing ASAP. Polo/tee shirt, PJ’s, old well-worn coat, walking boots with smelly socks inside, even the bottom sheet from the bed works. As much unwashed clothing as possible to get the scent airborne ASAP. If the dog has gone missing from their house/garden, leave some items of family unwashed clothing and a little bit of food outside in your front garden and if it’s safe to do also leave your garden gate, and a house door slightly open so should she make it back to the home she will have easy access back into the home.
4. Contact Doglost
As soon as possible, register your dog with Dog Lost https://doglost.co.uk/ They are connected via social media with kind people around the country, who can publicise details of missing dogs. Their other free services include being able to create a poster of your missing dog which can be printed off and put on local trees etc, as well as going on social media, via email etc. They also have an additional paid for service which places ads on social media (eg Twitter) in the area where the dog went missing.
5. Contact Drone SAR (Search and Rescue)
They’re only contactable via Facebook, and are excellent at finding local people with drones who can help look for missing dogs. They work closely with DogLost and will give you important advice about how best to get your dog safely home.
6. Report your dog missing to your microchip company
Inform your microchip company that your dog is lost as soon as possible, this will stop someone being able to try and change the microchip details. Equally it is an opportunity to check that your details are up to date should anyone find your dog and need to contact you. Some companies, such as Petlog, will also be able to send out alerts of your missing dog to their network.
7. Contact your local dog warden
Your local Council’s dog warden service will collect any stray dogs found wandering the area. Contact your local authority and surrounding areas as your dog may have wandered further than expected. The local one for Blockley is Cotswold District Council https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/environment/animals-and-wildlife/dogs-lost-and-found/ or phone 01285 623000
8. Make a report to your local animal rescue centres
Many rescue centres keep a lost and found database where your details can be saved in case a match is found.
9. Report your dog missing to nearby vets
Check with local veterinary surgeries as if your dog has somehow become injured. they may have been taken to a local vet for help. See below for list of local vets
10. If you suspect your dog has been stolen, report it to the police
They may be aware of similar activity in your area and be able to help you.
11. Spread the word
Put the Doglost posters inside plastic sleeves to protect them from the rain if they're outside. Put them up in local shops, vets, pubs, notice boards, the area where your pet went missing and through the doors of neighbouring streets. Register your dog on any lost and found websites and share on social media.
When you find your dog please remember to inform everyone who is keeping an eye out for them and take down any lost dog posters.
Other possible actions to find a missing dog
Setting up a feeding station and camera
Doglost can help with this. This might work if there’s a particular area where your dog might be, and where the feeding station won’t be raided/emptied by other animals. You could ask on local Facebook etc groups if people have an outdoor camera/webcam you could borrow.
These other services might be possible depending on your budget, their availability etc
K9 Tracker
http://www.k9tracker.co.uk/
While this is one heroic lady and her beagle, so they can’t cover all dogs across the country, apparently she can provide very helpful advice on the phone.
Pet Detectives
https://thepetdetectives.com/our_services/Missing_and_Stolen_Dogs
“Working with a professional Pet Detective significantly increases the likelihood of being reunited with your stolen dog. We have been recovering stolen pets since 1994 and are the only private detective agency in the UK specialising in the recovery of stolen dogs. If your dog is missing then the chances are that right now you don't know whether your dog is simply running loose or has been stolen. This is why you need an experienced professional pet detective to work with you.
We will be able to identify immediately whether we are dealing with the theft of your dog or a runaway, which ensures that the most effective plan for recovering your missing dog is implemented as swiftly as possible. We also have a network of contacts spanning right across the UK and work closely with many police forces, national media, local authorities and many animal welfare organisations all of which will be utilised to help recover your missing dog.”
Links and contacts
Some local vets – not a comprehensive list!
Hook Norton 01608 695305
Abbey Green 01386 852421
Stow on the Wold 01451 830620
Shipston 01608 661232
Vets 4 Pets 01386 769300
ANIMAL SEARCH UK - search service and website for missing pets
01432 266 900 www.animalsearchuk.co.uk
BATTERSEA DOGS & CATS HOME MISSING PETS POSTER
http://www.bdch.org.uk/files/BDCHLostPoster.doc
COTSWOLDS DISTRICT COUNCIL DOG WARDEN
01285 623000
DOGLOST.CO.UK - national online database of lost and found dogs
0844 800 3220 www.doglost.co.uk
DRONE SAR For Lost Dogs UK (Search and Rescue)
Via Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/134125720518945
NATIONAL MISSING PETS REGISTER - information, resources and assistance in making the most of the internet to reunite missing pets with their owners.
www.nationalpetregister.org
PETLOG – national lost and found database for microchipped pets
0844 4633 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm) www.petlog.org.uk
This information can be downloaded as a Word file by clicking the Download File button below.
| lost_dogs_blockley_v8.docx |