Finding your lost dog

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, roughly 30 percent of pet owners have lost a pet at one time. It could never happen to you, right? When your dog does go outside unsupervised, he's safe and sound in your fenced-in backyard. But fences aren't always 100-percent escape-proof, and doors and windows can inadvertently get left open. What would you do if you couldn't find your furry friend?

As soon as you notice that your animal companion is missing, search your home from top to bottom--that includes under the beds, in closets, and behind furniture. And don't forget the garage, under the porch, and in window wells. You just might find your four-legged Houdini snoozing on the top shelf of an old dresser in the basement, or cozily curled up in your laundry basket.

Steps to finding a lost pet

However, if you've determined that your pet isn't merely playing hide and seek, the following steps should be taken ASAP:
 

• Call all shelters, humane societies and animal control agencies within 50 miles of your home. If there aren't any shelters in the area, contact the police. When filing a lost pet report, it is crucial that your description is as accurate as possible. Current photos are a plus. Call the agencies daily, and check the closest shelters in person as often as you can.
• Get your friends and family together and search the neighborhood. Ask your neighbors, delivery personnel, and local shopkeepers if they've seen your pet. Be sure to bring along a photo to show them.
• Spread the word by posting signs and handing out flyers in your community. To be as effective as possible, your sign should include the name and sex of your pet, a recent photo, age, color, breed, weight and any special markings, as well as a phone number where you can be reached. It's also a good idea to post your flyers in veterinary offices, grocery stores and other local businesses, but please ask permission first. To ensure complete coverage of the community, place a "lost pet" ad in your local newspaper.
• Because many lost pets will not wander far from home, it's smart to set out fresh food and water on your porch or other safe area close by.
• Don't give up hope! Many animals have indeed found their way back home, so it's important to continue your search. It could take up to a month or two--but there's no greater payoff than the successful return of your companion.

Proper identification is key - find a lost pet

And finally, as a responsible pet owner, it's up to you to provide proper identification for your pet. PetDoc recommends that all dogs and cats wear a collar, even those who live indoors only. And to help increase the chances that a lost animal is recovered, a growing number of pet owners are opting for microchip identification. This way, if a lost animal is brought to a shelter or veterinary office equipped with a scanner, the facility can check the cat or dog for a microchip, which contains a unique code that can be traced back to the pet owner. For more on this increasingly popular method, please see our topic on microchipping.