Lost dog tips

Dogs can travel farther than cats, and even a friendly dog may run from people when it is scared. Move quickly, search in a widening area and get as many people looking as you can.

Search

• Start where your dog was last seen. Search on foot and by car, with a leash, treats and a phone.
• Widen your search over time and follow paths your dog knows: regular walking routes, parks, a friend’s house or a past home.
• Check yards, garages, sheds, under decks and porches, and along roads.
• Go out again in the early morning and evening, when it’s quiet and a nervous dog is more likely to move.
• Leave a worn piece of your clothing and a bowl of water where your dog went missing, and check it often.

If you see your dog

• Don’t chase or call loudly. A scared dog may run, even from you.
• Sit or crouch down, turn sideways, look away and toss treats on the ground near you.
• Talk in a calm, normal voice and let your dog come to you.
• If your dog keeps running, note the place and time, keep your distance and call your local animal control or shelter for advice on humane traps.

Tell people who might see your dog

• Call and visit the shelters and animal control offices in your area and nearby towns. Bring a photo.
• Call local vets and emergency vets in case someone brings your dog in.
• Talk to mail carriers, delivery drivers, dog walkers, joggers and dog park regulars.

Flyers, microchip and posts

• Put up large flyers with a clear photo and your phone number at intersections, parks, pet stores and vet clinics.
• Update the microchip. If your pet is microchipped, call your microchip company, report your pet lost and check that your phone number and address are current. If you aren’t sure which company holds the record, a vet or shelter can scan your pet’s records or you can look up the chip number with a free online lookup tool.
• Create a free listing and post in your local social media groups and neighborhood apps.

Watch out for reward scams

• Never send money, a deposit or a “shipping” or “transport fee” before you see your pet in person.
• Be wary of anyone who asks for gift cards, a wire transfer or a payment app, or who says your pet is far away and must be shipped.
• Leave one identifying detail out of your listing and flyer (a scar, a marking, a tag color). Ask callers to describe it.
• Ask for a current photo or a short video call before you meet.
• Meet in a public place in daylight, bring someone with you and tell others where you are going.
• If you offer a reward, pay it only when your pet is back with you.

More tips

Questions people ask

How far can a lost dog travel?

It depends on the dog, the area and how scared it is. Some stay close to home and others cover a lot of ground, so widen your search over time and spread flyers beyond your street.

Should I call my dog's name when searching?

Yes, in a calm, normal voice. If you see your dog, don't chase it. Crouch down, look away and toss treats so it comes to you.

What if my dog runs from me?

Scared dogs sometimes run from their own owners. Stop, sit down and stay quiet. If your dog keeps running, note where it is and ask your local animal control or shelter about a humane trap.

Who should I call when my dog is lost?

Local shelters and animal control, nearby vet clinics and emergency vets, and your microchip company if your dog is chipped.

Is it safe to meet someone who says they found my dog?

Ask them to describe a detail you left out of your listing, or to send a current photo. Meet in a public place with someone you trust, and never pay anything before you see your dog.