Don’t give up! Although most lost dogs are home within a few days, many dogs are found weeks or months after they are lost. Remember you are your dog’s advocate.

Get Organized:

_ Organize all current information about the lost dog (name, breed, description, age, wearing a collar, tags, microchip, current picture, etc.)

_ Immediately place your dog’s blanket or bedding, unlaundered clothing that has owner/foster scent and a dish of canned or tasty human food and water where he/she was last seen so your dog has something familiar to come back to & remain in the area. You can also put out your dog’s crate. Bungee cord the door open.

_ Mobilize your friends and family to assist you in getting the word out and searching for your dog. Assign one person as the point person for communications. Exchange cell phone numbers for quick contact.

_ Change your home/cell phone messages – Let callers know to leave a detailed message if they have sighted your dog.

_ Complete a lost dog report to have your missing dog listed with PetFBI and Lost Dogs Illinois: https://www.petfbi.org

Create Flyers and Posters:

_ Print at least 200 full-page flyers (check PetFBI.org for flyer templates) to distribute to businesses and to post in public places where people will see it. Use ¼ page size template so you can fit four flyers to a page for use in residential areas.

_ Create posters using neon colored poster boards and post at intersections & your own front yard. Include a brief description, instructions “do not chase” and a contact number.

**Be courteous and obey the law when delivering your flyers. Ask businesses and home owners if you can put flyers on bulletin boards and/or use large intersection signs on their property. Bear in mind though, many municipalities and home owners’ associations have rules regarding signs and they may not be allowed. **

Distribution of Flyers:

_ Use a map application such as Google Maps or Google My Maps to get a regional street map of area where dog is missing. Divide map into sections. Highlight and assign each section to a volunteer to distribute flyers. Use 3-mile radius to start. If no sightings, expand the flyers out a mile at a time.

_ Each team member should carry tasty treats, water and a slip lead or leash.

_ Walk and drive the mapped area, distributing flyers and hanging posters. Hang posters at intersections. Give flyers to delivery drivers (mail, UPS, FedEx, etc. bus drivers, and local businesses). Pass out flyers door-to-door or place in newspaper boxes, where available, and post in every business/public place. Talk to everyone about your missing dog. Note: It is illegal to put flyers in and on mailboxes.

_ Look for “found Dog” signs.

_ Remind your team not to shout out to or chase your dog if they see him/her. This may make your dog feel threatened and panic. Tell them to quietly sit or lie down (humans generally don’t lie on the ground – so it may invite curiosity), look away and lure the dog with tasty treats by throwing the treats to the side not directly at the dog. See Calming Signals video for luring technique. (Source: Missing Animal Response Network)

_ Post a sign in your front yard.

_ Attach a poster to your car or use window markers to write on your car windows.

_ Check your posters often, write “Still Missing” w/date or replace if they are removed or unreadable.

Notify by Phone/Email or Fax (be sure to include jurisdictions that surround your town/county). Be sure to visit in person your animal control and/or stray holding facilities to check the “found” dogs.

Post to Internet Sites: (check other Lost Pet internet posting sites not listed here):

Be sure to check these sites for listings from people who found your dog or who may be trying to rehome a dog they have found.

Note: Beware of scam text messages, comments or sites that charge money to post your missing dog, requests personal information, or requests a 6-digit Google code.

**Social networking is important, but remember this alone will not bring your dog home. **

Visit Shelters:

Important: If you don’t know where your city, township or county’s lost animals are held, call your local (non-emergency) police department for information. ALSO lengths of stray holding periods differ between cities and counties, it is important to find out what your city, township or county’s stray hold period is.

_Visit all county/city shelters in your county and in nearby counties if you live near the border.

_Make sure you visit ALL kennels in the shelter. Some shelters will have areas that are not accessible to the public for injured or bite dogs. You must ask about these.

-Post flyers in location or list your lost dog at the shelter. Check back often to make sure the flyer is still posted and/or your listing is still current. Also check posted “found” flyers.

Sightings:

_Use a map application such as Google Maps or Google My Maps to record sightings of the dog. Record the date, time and exact location, and direction of travel of the each sighting. Suggestion: use an excel spreadsheet or spiral notebook to record sightings.

_ If you have a sighting, immediately place your dog’s blanket or bedding, unlaundered clothing that has owner/foster scent and a dish of canned or tasty human food and water where he/she was last seen so your dog has something familiar to come back to & remain in the area. You can also put out your dog’s crate. Bungee cord the door open. If available, monitor the feeding station with a security camera or trail camera to confirm if your dog is visiting the feeding station.

_Avoid bringing in large groups to the areas where they have been sightings as they may scare a lost dog and cause him/her to leave the area.

_Humane traps can be used to trap a dog, but make sure you have the appropriate size and know how to use it.

_Do not chase or pursue a lost dog. Chasing can cause a dog to run out of their comfort zone or into traffic. Sit or lay down; use treats to lure. Lost dogs are hyper alert and know when they are being pursued.

_If there have been no sightings, start from the beginning and expand your search area. _Check Petfinder and/or other sites to see if your dog was surrendered to helter/rescue and has been put for adoption. Also check rehoming resources for dogs that are being rehomed.

Once Your Dog is home:

_Take your dog to a veterinarian to be examined.

_Remove all flyers and posters. Take down web postings and discontinue ads. Let all agencies you contacted know the dog has been recovered and thank them for their assistance.

_If not already, make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing tags on a secure, properly fitted collar / harness.

_Update the status of your dog on Lost Dogs Illinois (PetFBI.org)

Websites for More Information:
Lost Dog Search
Lost Dogs of America
03/1/2024