When a beloved dog disappears and a search turns up no sign of him, people tend to panic. Preparing ahead of time for such an event is easy and could save the dog’s life.
The first thing to do is make a folder, envelope or box to contain all the information needed for a search, and mark it with something like “Lost Dog Emergency Kit” so it can be identified quickly. Keep it in a secure place and make sure all adults and older children know where it is.
Put a spare collar and leash in the kit, in case the dog got loose while wearing his regular leash and collar. They could come off while he is lost.
It is essential to include current photographs. They should be clear and show two views of the dog standing on a flat surface (not grass) and one of the face. Include close-ups of any identifying marks such as a tattoo or scar. These photo can be taken specifically for the kit if none are already on hand.
Proof of Ownership
If the dog is taken in by someone else, has been stolen or ends up in shelter, proof of ownership may be needed to get him back. Have a copy of the dog tag numbers, registration certificate (if there is one) and a couple of photos of the owner and the dog together. A copy of a vet bill for him shows that the dog is being cared for and that a vet can verify ownership.
Since a missing dog is an emergency situation, include phone numbers and street addresses for all area animal shelters, pounds, vet clinics, dog obedience clubs and rescue centres. It’s easier to have the numbers readily available than trying to look them up during a stressful time.
If the dog isn’t found quickly, call all these numbers and describe the dog in case he has been turned in to one of them. If he has been injured while loose, he might have been taken to a vet clinic for treatment.
Put Up Lost Dog Posters
If the dog doesn’t show up in 24 hours, canvas the neighbourhood. Make posters with his photo on them and a contact phone number. Dogs can roam a long ways, so keep widening the circle with posters as time passes. Put them on poles, in convenience stores, at pet food stores, even the library if allowed, as well as the sites mentioned above.
Schools are another place to look. Ask in the office if a missing dog poster can be put up where the students will see it. Children tend to notice loose dogs, and many dogs often gravitate towards groups of children at schools, playgrounds and parks when they are lost.
If the dog has been purchased from someone else fairly recently and it’s possible he’s trying to find his way back there, call his former owner to be on the lookout for him.
Internet and print media can be used as well to try and find him.
Vacationing with a Dog
When at the cottage or visiting away from home, if the dog is along, bring the kit. And if the dog is boarded or left with someone else, leave the kit with the person caring for the dog. If using a pet sitter, be sure the person knows where the kit is and what it is for.
Having a dog disappear is terribly stressful for the family he belongs to. Take all precautions to prevent a dog from escaping, but be prepared for the worst by putting this kit together, just in case.
Terry McNamee - As a community newspaper reporter for nearly 30 years, Terry McNamee won many regional, provincial and national awards for her writing.
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