Losing your dog can be a very worrying and traumatic time and it can be tricky to know what to do. Regan Curry from leading UK animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs and Cats Home shares five tips to help you find your pet as quickly as possible.
How to find your lost dog
Check areas they know best
If your dog has gone missing, make sure to check areas they are familiar with that they might have gone to, such as their normal walking route or, if you’ve recently moved, around your old address.
It can be useful to take treats and one of your dog's favourite toys with you on your search, as familiar scents or sounds such as their favourite squeaker may alert them to your presence. It can be useful to put up posters in your local area in case members of the public have spotted your pet.
Inform your microchip database
You should always inform your microchip company that your dog is missing as soon as possible, as this will prevent their details from being amended, whilst ensuring that your contact details are up to date should anyone find your pet and need to contact you. Some microchip companies will also be able to send out alerts of your missing dog to their network.
Contact your local dog warden, vet or rescue centre
If you are still unable to locate your dog after these steps, try contacting your council’s dog warden service, local veterinary surgeries in case they have been injured, and nearby animal rescue charities. The local dog warden service will collect any stray dogs found wandering the street, while many rescue centres operate a service to receive reports of missing or found animals.
In London, Battersea’s Lost Dogs and Cats Line is open seven days a week for reports of missing or found animals within the M25 area, helping to reunite thousands of animals with their loving owners each year. There may also be other schemes in your local area.
If you think your dog has been stolen, report it
If you believe your dog may have been stolen, make sure to report it to the police, as they could be aware of similar activity in your area and may be able to help you.
Spread the word
Spreading the word in your area will alert people living nearby who may have spotted your pet. Ask people to check their sheds and outbuildings in case they have got locked in by mistake. You can put up posters in the area, as well as registering your dog on any lost and found websites and share on social media.
Battersea has its own missing poster, to which you can add your pet’s details, or you can create your own.
For more advice, helpful tips and support for caring for your pet, visit the Battersea website
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Leading animal welfare charity, Battersea is here for every dog and cat, and has been since 1860. Battersea offers love and expert care to dogs and cats who need them by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at its centres, and by sharing our knowledge and resources with other organisations around the world. They do this because they want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.
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