Act Fast to Bring Your Lost Dog Home!
Lost Dog Immediate Action Plan
Act quickly and follow these steps to increase the likelihood of a successful reunion with your lost pet.
1
Spread the Word
Get help! The #1 thing that will help you find your lost dog is the Community! Call your neighbors, get on Social Media and let your local police, Vet and others know. There is no such thing as too many people in the community keeping an eye out for your dog! Make sure people have a good phone number to reach you!
Take TWO MINUTES and use our Free Missing Animal Poster Generator! It’s quick and makes a professional and high impact poster that you can very quickly share on town Social Media Pages etc.! Even better, have someone else make the poster as you head out to look for your dog.
2
Conduct an Initial Search
Head out to look for your dog and bring these THREE things at a MINIMUM:
- A leash! Preferably a slip leash.
- Cell phone, fully charged if possible.
- Bag of High Value Treats! (HVT’s are things like bacon, hot dogs and chicken.) Regular dog treats are not good enough to lure your dog back to you. Place these items in a large zip-loc bag.
**Very rarely are dogs stolen or attacked by local predators. These things can happen, but they are extremely rare. Focus on what is likely! Your dog is lost, and you need to find him or her!
3
The Long-Term Rescue Plan!
(If the initial search doesn’t work)
Contact the experienced team at Saving Grace Dog Rescue! We will help you with distributing flyers, placing feeding stations, humane trapping and coordinating additional resources to support your search efforts. We bring together a wide network of dedicated volunteers and community support to maximize the chances of bringing your dog home safely.
Do’s and Don’ts of the Initial Search:
DON’T:
→DO NOT: Yell!
→DO NOT: Clap!
→DO NOT: Whistle!
→DO NOT: Run after your dog!
What TO do!
- Calmly call your dog’s name in a tone and volume that is just above a speaking tone.
- Walk with the bag of High Value Treats open. This allows a positive scent to waft around you and hopefully reach your dog.
- If you see your dog, immediately SIT DOWN. By sitting, you allow your dog to recognize you and focus on you! If others are with you, they need to sit and be quiet. Then start to calmly call your dog’s name and use other terms associated with praise and treats.
- Using a slow underhand throw, toss some treats out to your dog. Use small pieces of treats. Try to make a “bread crumb trail” of treats that will bring your dog to you.
- Try to avoid direct eye contact with your dog.
- Do not reach out to your dog or secure your dog until he or she is in your arms, then attach your leash.
Reach Out for Our Help
If your initial search efforts do not yield results, it's time to implement a long-term rescue plan. Contact Saving Grace Dog Rescue for expert assistance. Our experienced team will help distribute flyers, set up feeding stations, and utilize humane trapping techniques. We coordinate additional resources and leverage our extensive network of volunteers to support your search. Our goal is to maximize the chances of reuniting you with your beloved pet. Trust in our expertise and dedication as we work tirelessly to bring your dog home safely.