LOST DOGS- WHAT CAN YOU DO? WHAT CAN I DO IF I'VE LOST MY DOG?
The first thing to do is contact Petlog. We are on hand 24 hours a day, all year round and can give you advice on the best course of action for your individual needs. If you are part of Petlog Premium you can mark your dog missing via SMS text or our website. Petlog Premium customers will also have a lot of their work done for them. We will send a Lost Pet Alert to authorised agents in a 30 mile radius of the last sighting of your lost dog and you can download a Lost Pet Poster from our website for distribution in the area. You will also be added to our lost pet page.
Search your neighbourhood, leaving a description of your dog (or the Lost Pet Poster) with as many people as possible. Remember to ask any professionals that would cover a large area, such as your postman, or refuse collectors.
Call your local vet to advise them, and the environmental section of your local council for the animal wardens. If you know of any kennels in the area, call them and leave your number so they can call you if a dog is brought into them. Please be aware that the police are no longer obliged to handle stray dogs so do not expect them to act on a missing dog call, however you can ask for advice or a contact number.
Make Lost Pet Posters and place them around the area your pet went missing. Vets, local shops, supermarkets, post offices and restaurants. As many places as possible, and make as many people as possible aware that your dog has gone missing.
Call your local radio station and ask them to put a message out, check lost pet websites and advertise in the Lost section of your local newspaper. Remember to check the Found section for any reports.
HOW CAN I FIND MY MISSING DOG?
It can be frustrating if you have lost your dog and can think of no way to find your dog. Here are a few tips that may help:
The person that has the strongest bond with the lost dog should walk round the usual walking areas, and the area the dog went missing with a leash, some treats and maybe the dog's favourite toy. Also if the lost dog is used to a companion dog, such as a sibling, make sure to bring the companion dog along on a leash. The scents of all these things may bring your lost dog back to you.
Always assume that your lost dog is nearby when you are walking around and talk to them with recognised phrases and a re-assuring tone. Do not scream your lost dogs name as this may make them think they have done something wrong and can scare them off.
At night, place something that your dog would be very familiar with outside your home. The scent this gives off may be enough to bring your lost dog back.
WHAT ABOUT STOLEN DOGS?
Stolen Dogs are treated much the same as missing dogs, as unless it can be proved that it was stolen the chances are the dog could be hiding, escaped or with a neighbour or friend. If you are certain that your dog has been stolen you will need to report this as a crime to your local police station. If there are any other items stolen, or any property damage they can deal with this all at the same time.
They will give you a crime reference number. You can call Petlog and advise us of this number along with a contact name and number for the police station you reported the crime to. Once we have registered the dog as stolen and received confirmation of this in writing we shall place a password onto your microchip account for further security. If you go into the police station to report it also hand them a poster or photo of your stolen dog.
If you are on any of the major social networking sites, place a photo and description of your dog on the sites to make as many people aware as you can.
If your dog has been microchipped, your details will remain on the microchip so you can be sure of being re-united with your dog if it is handed in to any welfare or re-homing centres. Please be aware however, if a dog is handed into a re-homing centre and they are unable to contact the owner within 7 days they can legally re-home the pet to a new owner so i is always best to contact the local centres to enquire about any new strays brought in.
UPDATED:FEB 2010
SOURCE:Kennel Club website
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2915