23/04/2024
๐ถ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ด ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ
Today is National Lost Dog Awareness Day and although this day was created in America by Lost Dogs of America, it's well worth highlighting this day in the UK to help raise awareness about lost dogs here too and share information about what we can all do to help reunite them with their families.
Losing a pet is an unbearable thought yet, sadly, it does happen. There are things you can do to ensure a greater chance of a quick reunion should this happen though:
๐๐๐๐ง๐ค๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ฟ๐ค๐
It is compulsory in the UK to microchip your dog. An up-to-date microchip can help facilitate a quick reunion. Make sure your dog is microchipped and that you keep your contact details up-to-date, especially if you move house or change your telephone number.
๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ช๐ง๐ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ฟ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐จ ๐ผ๐ฃ ๐๐ฟ ๐๐๐
This is a legal requirement when your dog is in a public place. Your name and address must be on it and we'd also advise a mobile number is also included.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ก
Teach your dog a reliable recall for when you are out walking and never let them off the lead if you are unsure whether they will come back to you. If in doubt, use a long line or training lead, especially if you are in an unfamiliar area where your dog may get lost more easily.
๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ช๐ง๐ ๐๐ค๐ช ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐๐ค๐ฉ๐ค๐จ
Take clear photographs of your dog from various angles, and update them regularly. Make a note of any distinguishing features.
Take lots of photographs of yourself with your dog to help you prove ownership if needed.
๐พ๐๐ง๐๐๐ช๐ก๐ก๐ฎ ๐พ๐ค๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐๐ง ๐พ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ซ๐๐๐๐ง๐จ
Take care when choosing someone to care for your dog if you are going away or need a dog walker whilst you are at work. Use a reputable company and choose someone who has qualifications and experience. Check references and licences (where appropriate) for people who provide dog walking, day care or holiday services.
๐พ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ค๐จ๐๐
Make sure your garden is safe, secure and fully enclosed.
๐ ๐๐ณ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ด ๐
If you find a lost dog and are able to encourage them towards you and keep them safe, take them to a local vet for their microchip to be scanned.
If you are unable to capture them, take pictures as best as you can and report your sighting to the local Dog Warden then share information about them on social media and local lost dog groups.
๐ข ๐๐ณ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ข
๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐ง๐๐
Start with the immediate area where your dog was last seen. Call your dogโs name and some tasty treats and listen for barking, whining or any movement. Get friends and family to help with the search.
๐ผ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ง๐จ
Let your neighbours know that your dog is missing and ask them to keep an eye out. If they went missing locally, some dogs may find their own way home.
๐พ๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ค๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐จ
Create and display posters with a clear photo of your dog, their name and your contact details. Put these in high-traffic areas around your neighbourhood or where your dog went missing and in local parks, vets and pet shops etc.
๐พ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ, ๐๐๐จ๐๐ช๐๐จ ๐ผ๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ฟ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ
Call all local vets, the dog warden and RSPCA branches and other animal welfare organisations to see if your dog has been handed in. Send them posters of your dog to display.
๐๐๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ฟ๐ค๐
Register them with a company such as PetsReunited, DogLost.co.uk or the National Pets Register..
๐๐ฉ๐๐ก๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐
Social media can be a quick and effective platform to spread the word that your dog is missing. Include photos and information on how people can contact you with any sightings etc.
๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ค ๐๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ก๐
Visit places where dog walkers go such as local parks and public places and talk to people. Ask them to keep an eye open for your dog.
๐พ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐๐๐ง๐ค๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐พ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ฎ
This is so they can flag your dog as missing. It will also alert them to anyone trying to re-register the same microchip number.
๐๐๐๐๐ง ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐
Offering a reward for the safe return of your dog can help encourage people to join in the search and report sightings. It's worth checking your pet insurance policy too as some cover the cost of a reward.
๐พ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฟ๐ง๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐พ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐จ
Drone companies such as Drone To Home and pet trackers who specialise in finding lost dogs are well worth considering.
Help to spread awareness of National Lost Dog Awareness Day by sharing this post. The more we can do to reduce the risk of our dogs going missing and increase the chances of reunions for those that are missing the better!
ยฉ๏ธ Amanda Childs
Happy Buddies Dog Training, Dog Walking and Pet Care Services and Puppy School
Amanda Childs Pet Bereavement Counsellor
