Your dog could get lost while hiking, after getting scared by a loud noise downtown or escaping the yard after a gate has been left open. Michelle Sevigny, founder of Dogsafe Canine First Aid and author of Operation Find Fido: How to Find a Lost Dog Fast says that for many dog owners, discovering their dog is missing causes panic to set in. She says it's essential to have a written action plan before it happens. A former Vancouver police officer, Sevigny further suggests that you only use dog professionals (dog walkers, doggie day care providers) that have been trained for lost dog recovery and are prepared. "Losing a dog is a potential risk for all dog professionals, whether through accident or negligence, and it needs to be a high priority in their emergency planning." Sevigny offers the following tips to help people get their dogs home fast:
1. Design "Lost Dog" flyers in advance so you can start your search immediately. Use "Lost Dog" as your heading and add your dog's name, breed and description if unusual or a mix breed, plus contact phone numbers. Include two colour photos, a head shot and full body shot. Write "still missing" for date last seen and leave a blank space for "last location seen" and add "but could be anywhere." Add "do not chase" and write that although your dog may be friendly, while lost, the dog could be cautious and chasing puts the dog at risk. The goal is to get reported sightings to allow you to focus your search, not to have your dog captured by strangers.
2. Post flyers everywhere including community centres, schools, shopping centres, dog parks, hair salons, medical offices, bus stops and anywhere people browse or wait; and keep track of where you have posted flyers. Go door to door in the area last seen. Give copies of flyers to willing newspaper delivery people, school crossing guards, postal workers, couriers, etc as they are out and about every day.
3. Create poster board signs and post at major intersections for maximum exposure. Use large, fluorescent poster board with big, easy to read text. Post your flyer in the middle.
4. As soon as possible, conduct a thorough search around the area where your dog was last seen using as many volunteers as possible. Stop periodically to listen, especially if in the bush, as an injured dog may hide from view. Use a favorite squeaky toy or treats for temptation. Flashlights are essential at night.
5. Contact local shelters, animal control, veterinarians, rescue groups and other dog businesses to report your lost dog and increase awareness.
6. Place a lost dog ad in the local newspapers, post on Facebook and create an email that you can forward to all your dog friends.
7. Be prepared for phone calls about sightings and change your voice mail message to "If you are calling about our lost dog, Monty, please leave the exact location and time of any sightings and a call back number if you wish. Thank you." to prompt information. If you receive a call from someone stating your dog has been found, keep safety in mind. Meet in a public place and go with another person. Be aware of scams such as anyone requesting you send money out of town before your dog will be shipped home.
8. Do not give up! Replace damaged posters, renew ads in newspapers and keep in regular contact with shelters, animal control and rescue groups. Also, keep track of sightings and focus your ongoing search in these reported areas.
9. When you find your dog, contact everyone who has been notified including shelters, animal control and flyer recipients and remember to remove all flyers and posters.
For more information on Dogsafe Canine First Aid courses and Operation Find Fido workshops, check on the web www.dogsafe.ca or call 778-340-0855.
