Lost Pet Guidance

Losing your dog or cat is devastating, particularly if it is a shy or scared animal who will run from people instead of approaching them. The challenge of successfully finding a lost dog is even more complex when that dog is newly adopted. When a dog does not know his or her name, new neighborhood, or way to get home, he or she may get more panicked, running further from people who approach. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue put together these tips on how to prevent dog escapes -- and what to do if they happen.

Prevention is key

Some rescue animals arrive in a new home scared and under-socialized, experiencing a home, a city, and all the noises that come with those things, for the first time. They don't know their names. They don't know the neighborhood. They don't know the scents in their immediate surroundings. Even confident dogs and cats can hear a car backfire for the first time, get scared, and try to bolt. We consider the first 48 hours in a new home the most critical time to keep your new pet safe, but don't get lured into complacency after that time frame has passed.

Tips for dog owners

  1. Be sure the collar is secure Lucky Dog strongly recommends using a martingale--or no-slip--collar so your dog cannot back out of it or slip free. In fact, we require that our adopters use these types of collars.
  2. Don’t trust a harness: Harnesses must be carefully adjusted as dogs can slip out of harnesses as easily as they do collars. If you are using a harness, be sure to either use a double clip leash so you can attach it to both the harness and the collar OR use two leashes until your dog has a 100% reliable "come" command.
  3. Keeping the leash on: We recommend keeping newly adopted dogs on leash in your home and yard for the first 48 hours. This does not mean that you have to hold the leash, but let them drag it around so that you can grab the dog should they try to bolt out a door or run from you in the yard/house. Never let your dog off leash in an unsecure environment until you have a 100% reliable “come” command. This means any yards should be fully fenced (6 feet high for jumping dogs), and dog parks should be double gated for a dog to run free. Even in secure environments use care when entering and exiting and let the dog drag their leash until you know how they will behave.
  4. Guard the doors (car and house): We often see newly adopted animals try to bolt out the door of the house or leap out the car door. The key is never to let them have access to exits until you have developed a bond of trust or a secure hold on their leash.
    • Crate your dog at all times when you leave your house. This will prevent them from slipping out the door when you are leaving or returning.
    • Confine your dog to a secure room/area of the house when you have company and the door will be open often.
    • Never leave the dog unsupervised in a yard no matter how secure. We recommend having the dog drag his/her leash the first few times they are in the yard. (See above.)
    • When transporting dogs in the car, secure the leash to something in the car (wrap it around a headrest or seat back) or use a seatbelt.
  5. Be Smart in Holding Your Leash: We strongly recommend placing your hand through the loop at the end of the leash and wrapping the leash around your arm a few times to ensure you have a firm hold on your new dog. We discourage retractable leashes because they are easy to drop and you have very little control over your dog.
  6. Do not let small children walk your dog without a parent also holding the leash.
  7. If friends or family or dog-walkers will be walking your dog make sure they are using the proper equipment and technique and be sure to warn them if the dog is a particular flight risk (if they are prey driven or particularly fearful of cars/loud noises). If it is the first time they have cared for your dog, consider asking them to leave the leash on at all times until the dog trusts them.

Tips for cat owners

  1. Keep your cats indoors.
  2. Keep your new cat in a small, confined room when you first bring them home, gradually expanding the amount of space they have in the home.
  3. Be sure your cat is securely placed in a carrier whenever you take him or her to the vet.

Microchips

Microchipping is the only way to keep identification on your dog if they manage to get out of their collar. It is not, however, a substitute for keeping a collar with an ID tag on your dog at all times. Please register your microchipped animal to yourself. Here is a good article on microchipping: http://dogs.about.com/od/toyssupplies/a/microchipping.htm

What To do If Your Pet Gets Lost

If you do lose your pet, the key is to act quickly. Lucky Dog suggests taking the following steps if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. Unfortunately, none of these steps will bring your dog back with certainty, but they are the best techniques we know.

  1. Get food to the last point of contact IMMEDIATELY: Lost pets often travel in a circle between spots they find food and water - the circle usually starts where they were lost. If there is no food there they will continue to roam. Feeding stations consist of a large pile of kibble with a can of cheap, smelly dog food (Alpo or tuna) dumped on top.
  2. Preserve a scent item: put a blanket or bed lining in a plastic bag in the freezer. This scent item will help a dog tracker if one is needed.
  3. Make a flyer immediately: This is more important than just walking around looking for your pet. The goal is to start getting "sighting calls" so you can narrow down the area where your pet is running.
    • Flyers should include two telephone numbers in BIG PRINT, which is easy to read from a car driving by and include a good picture. Lost Dog Flyer Template [DOCX 38KB]
    • FLYER EVERYWHERE: the area needs to be completely saturated with flyers in plastic sheet protectors (with the opening at the bottom so water doesn't get in). They should be on every telephone pole, at every intersection, along all walking paths. The goal is everywhere people walk or drive. In the first day it is ideal if 500 - 1,000 flyers are posted.
  4. Lost a Pet? Report your lost pet

     File a lost pet report: Petco Love Lost is a national database and one of the best ways to help your lost pet.  Contact your local shelters as well and plan to visit the shelters in person regularly. Call local veterinarians and pet stores; fax/email the flyer. Be aware that scammers follow these sites. Please be sure to leave off identifying details (what color collar and leash your dog is wearing for example) so that you can verify sightings (ask for pictures) and never reply to anyone asking for money as a condition of giving you information. 

  5. Set up a Google map and track all sightings:
    • How to set up a Google Map:
    • Go to maps.google.com - sign into your account or set one up.
    • Search the address the dog is lost from. On the left hand side of the page under "Google Maps" logo, click on "my maps."
    • Click "create new map," add a title, and list the map as a public. Then click "edit." A hand, a balloon and a line will appear in the left corner.
    • Click the "balloon" icon. This will turn your cursor into the balloon and allow you to place the balloon on the map.
    • Each time you receive a sightings call, place a marker on the map with as much information as possible, including the time the dog was spotted.
    • Add markers for feeding stations as well. The map will help you figure out where your dog is going so you can help get them home as soon as possible.
    • Here is a sample map.
  6. Send out a Find Toto call:
    • Find Toto sends out amber alerts for lost pets. They provide exact addresses, date last seen, descriptions, pet's description/photo, best contact number, etc. Phone numbers are uploaded to their automated calling system where thousands of calls are seen in minutes.
    • In addition to phone alerts, they also offer mobile alerts, media and Google ad views depending on the payment package selected. Packages can be found here.
    • Note, alert hours are Monday to Friday 9-7 and Saturday & Sunday 10-6 so it is crucial to set up the alert same day to ensure that the alert goes out as promptly as possible.
    • More details can be found at www.findtoto.com.
    • Here is a sample script for a lost dog: "Lost pet alert from your neighbor Vanessa by FindToto.org. Their Dog Toto went missing on April 16th near Yellow Brick Rd. Toto is a Black Yorkshire Terrier. If you have seen him or can help, please call 877-738-8686. You can also view your neighbors lost pet and their contact info at FindToto.org. Thank you!"
  7. Email any and all neighborhood groups: including listservs, Home Owners Associations (HOAs), area yahoo groups, newsletters.
  8. Create a Lost Pet Facebook Page:(you can also use your own Facebook page) and post regularly with a Google map link so you can post sightings and have people call in to help. Tag your local lost and found dog Facebook pages (for example, Lost & Found Dogs DC Metro Area, Lost Dogs Virginia, Virginia Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets, Lost and Found Dogs Virginia, Lost Dogs Maryland, Southern Maryland Lost and Found Pets, Maryland Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets, Lost and Found Animals of Maryland) and do not hesitate to post to multiple groups (different groups have different rules and moderators are happy to help). These groups take this responsibility very seriously so please notify them when you find a dog. You can also share your flier on Twitter and Instagram.
    1. Go to facebook.com/pages/create.
    2. Pick Cause of Community.
    3. Title it "Current/Past Dog Name Lost Dog Page."
    4. Add a profile picture.
    5. Add a cover photo.
    6. Add a short description (include the dog's name, description, where they were lost, and how people can help).
    7. Share to your timeline, share to local lost dog pages and invite your friends.
    8. Ask your friends to share the page and invite their contacts.
    9. Update your page as sightings occur and to ask for help with tasks.
    10. Once the dog is found, update the page with details to reflect that "XX has been found."
  9. Maintain/Refresh Feeding Stations Regularly: Feeding stations should be set up where there have been several sightings(or for cats on every floor of your home to ensure your cat is out and not just hiding inside). If outside, this encourages the pet to stay in a particular area. Even if the sightings move away, maintain stations for at least a week after last activity. Refresh food at least once a day so the pet stays interested  Stinky food works best, for example, cat food, wet food, rotisserie chicken, etc. Liquid Smoke (found in the barbecue section of your drug store aisle) also works great. We recommend using GPS cameras to ensure your pet has visited the feeding station in question.
  10. Call a pet tracker: Don't wait, because they can take days to schedule. For example Pure Gold Pet Trackers, Dogs Finding Dogs, and Lost Pet Professionals.

What To Do When Your Pet Is Sighted

The most important rule to understand when the lost dog you are looking for is sighted, is not to chase. By chasing your pet, even a pet you know, you scare it away from familiar ground. Chasing a lost pet in flight mode, if they don't respond and come to your voice it will only make matters worse. Whatever you do, don't rush. This process can take over 45 minutes.

Assume a non-threatening position.

  • You should be seated with your back to the pet, keeping the pet in sight using peripheral vision and soft glances over your shoulder.
  • Never look the pet straight on or make eye contact with the pet.
  • Move as little as possible, all movements should be slight.
  • All searchers who are within eyesight of the pet or who can see the pet should assume a non-threatening position and stop all movement.
  • Try to avoid cornering the pet if possible. The pet is in fight or flight mode -so avoid taking away its' option of flight.
  • Avoid trying to surround the pet as this will make the pet edgy and it will be harder to get it calmed down enough to catch it.
  • A regular leash makes a good slip lead. Don't try and do collar adjustments after catching the pet. Use a slip lead to get the pet in a car or building and then make adjustments.

For dogs, bring another dog into the area.

  • Ideally the search dog should be a dog that the lost dog knows.
  • Start by feeding treats to the dog you have with you to give the lost dog an example.
  • You want to toss high value treats to the dog, gently, so you don't spook the dog.
  • This should only be attempted by one person at a time.
  • All movement should be slow. Stay as low to the ground as possible, you should try to remain facing away from the dog.

Traps

  • Trapping is sometimes necessary to catch a very scared pet.
  • You need to ensure that the pet is eating out of the feeding stations. You can monitor this with a camera or sightings.
  • The trap must be checked every 3-4 hours, especially in inclement weather.
  • You are also likely to catch a variety of wildlife. Be careful when releasing wildlife (Raccoons, skunks, foxes etc. are considered part of the rabies vector and must be released near where they are trapped. Squirrels and opossums are not rabies carriers, but they still bite hard).
  • Do not open the trap outside, instead move it (if possible) into an indoor location.

What To Do When Your Pet Is Found

  1. Take your pet to the vet immediately. You never know how long they have been without food or water (check for dehydration), whether they have internal injuries or any other problems not clearly visible.
  2. Take down the flyers.
  3. Update Facebook and any email lists on which you have posted.
Keywords
Lost Dog
Guide
Tips