What to do if your dog goes missing?

by Jonathan Williams

With the number of posts on Facebook about dogs being stolen or going missing, we spoke to the admins from the Facebook Group Helping Lost/Found Re Home Horses/Dogs/Cats about what owners should do if their pet does goes missing.

Any tips on preventing your dog going missing?

First off, as a dog owner you should do all you can to ensure that you and your dog are not parted through loss or theft and it is vitally important that you know what to do if the worst happens.

Never leave your dog unattended in the garden if going out of the house and never leave it in your vehicle or tied up in a public place whilst shopping.

Until properly trained, do not let it off the lead until you are absolutely sure that it will return to you when called and not run off.

My dog is microchipped?

If your dog is, retain the relevant identification number close at hand, or even on your mobile phone, accompanied by contact details for Petlog and your local vet and dog warden.

Must my dog wear a collar and if yes, what should it say on it?

In the UK, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but we would recommend this).

You can be fined up to £5,000 if your dog does not wear an identification tag!

You do not have to put your dogs name on the tag, this is optional. Unfortunately dog theft is a real danger and if the thief knows the name of your dog this may help them pass on the dog to the unsuspecting new owners because it appears they know the dog because the dog responds to their name. We would therefore recommend, you do not put your dogs name on the tag.

What should I do if I lose my dog?

We have some useful tips for all dog owners to consider if they lose their dog:

• Thoroughly check your own property first. Look in cosy places, under beds, in wardrobes and anywhere else your pet may think it could get some rest, or could be hiding from a loud noise.
• Search your neighbourhood immediately, leaving the description of your dog and your name and phone number with as many people as possible. Remember to ask mailmen and paper delivery service personnel if they have seen your dog.
• Call your vet, police station and dog warden.
• If your dog is microchipped and registered with Petlog, call 0844 463 3999 immediately.
• Make posters/flyers and lots of them! Place them on telegraph poles, street light poles, in pet shops, vets, supermarkets, restaurants, local stores and post offices. For outdoor flyers you may want to place them in plastic sheet protectors. If you vist the dog lost website you can upload all your pets details or phone them you will have a ready made poster.
• Visit your local welfare centre. Ensure you look into each enclosure, as records are not always accurate.
• Ask your neighbours to check their sheds, garages, conservatories, greenhouses or anywhere else sheltered. If they have left a door open and then locked it without checking it is possible your lost pet could be stuck inside.
• If you are trying to find a lost dog – walk around the area the dog went missing with a leash, some treats and maybe the dog’s favourite toy. The scents of all these things may bring your lost dog back to you. another tip is to empty hoover contents in the area.
• Advertise in the ‘Lost’ section of local media outlets and be sure to read the ‘Found’ ads.
• Call radio stations that announce lost and found pets.
• Visit lost and found pet websites. Such as helpinghorsesdogscats !!
• Take a photograph of your dog every few months to ensure it will be recognisable on posters if it does stray.
• Dogs are not always predictable and can stray for long distances. Look everywhere and tell everyone.
• Some useful numbers to call if you lose a dog are: your local welfare centre, vet, neighbour, police, dog warden and of course Petlog – 0844 463 3999.

What should I do if I find a dog?

If you find a dog then try the following:

• Local authorities have responsibility for dealing with stray dogs and they are required to employ dog wardens to collect any dog believed to be a stray. If a stray dog is located outside office hours, it can be taken to the local police station where they will usually hold the animal until the dog warden can be contacted, Although majority of police stations no longer offer this service so contact local shelters, ourselves that may be able to help, even friends that are able to accommodate a stray for the night.
• If the dog is microchipped the dog warden service or vets will have access to the Petlog database and will search for the details so that they can return the dog to its rightful owner as soon as possible.

Please remember that the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires the finder of a stray dog to return the dog to its owner, or contact the local authority (dog warden service) to report it and have it collected, or to take the dog to the police station nearest to where the dog was found.!!!