Social media will generate sightings which will be the key to narrowing down where they have gone. Make lost pet posts on the social media sites listed below. Ask the public not to chase and to only report sightings. It is very important that there is no chasing as that may run them out of the area. If there are sightings reported, do not share the exact location with the public as good Samaritans will sometimes try to “help” by going there to find them which may scare them even further away. Unfortunately, dogs that have been out for a short period of time can revert to survival mode and instinctively run from most people, even family that they know and love.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/213414167061254 for the Shelbyville/Shelby County area on Facebook.
- https://www.pawboost.com/
- https://nextdoor.com/
- Post on FB pages (personal, family and friends).
- Post on local lost/found and buying/selling online pet groups (FB and other).
- Post on Craigslist.
- Post on Ring.com
For all of the above, re-share or “boost” the posts every couple of days to make sure they do not get buried under other posts. Pawboost will re-post if you ask them to. Also, review the “found” sections on these sites in case someone has already posted an alert.
Outside of social media, the most important tool for recovery is signs and flyers. People often think they shouldn’t need to do signs or flyers but these can so helpful for finding your pet because not everyone is on social media or seeing your posts about your missing pet on social media.
Place a lost dog sign in yards, hang flyers in neighborhoods and at nearby intersections and pass out to neighbors and other citizens. To start, post within a 2 mile radius of where they went missing. Then, increase the radius by 2 miles every additional day they are gone. We recommend that flyers are kept basic, like the example shown. Signs and flyers need to be done as soon as possible near where they went missing.
If sightings come in from other locations, signs and flyers also need to be put up around those areas.
Notify and check animal shelters.
Some shelters post their animals online however not all animals will be posted so it’s best to check with them by visiting them in person whenever possible. Please visit surrounding area shelters or contact them because pets have been picked up and dumped in other areas in the past so it’s possible your pet could end up miles away from your home.
Make a lost dog report with the shelters, rescues, veterinarians and animal controls in town and surrounding areas within a 20 mile radius.
Put YOUR scent out. Put out food, water and the dog’s bed or an article of clothing at the location where the dog was last seen. Animals use their sense of smell to find their way so by putting out familiar scents this may help in having your pet find it’s way back home.
If the pet is microchipped, update the contact information with the chip company and submit a lost report as soon as possible. You can contact the facility that chipped the pet for the number/chip company information or use http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org.
Some common microchip companies are…
24PetWatch – 1-866-597-2424 – www.24petwatch.com
AKC – 1-800-252-7894 – www.akccar.com
AVID – 1-800-336-2843 – www.avidid.com
Home Again – 1-888-466-3242 – www.homeagain.com
Search the neighborhood – walking and driving. If the dog does not willingly come when called out to, do not continue to call or chase them. This may frighten the dog and could prolong your search by scaring them further away. Even owned dogs can go into survival mode and will not come to owners. If you are in close proximity to the dog and they do not run but do not willingly approach you then you should sit or lie down, make no eye contact and gently toss out treats to lure the dog in (hotdogs and cheeseburgers are usually a hit).
We recommend to NOT offer a reward. Rewards encourage people to chase your pet. There are rare instances where a reward should be offered.
As noted above, to generate sightings, the most important things to do are posting on social media and getting physical signs posted and flyers passed out. If sightings occur outside of the sign/flyer area then new signs will need to be posted and more flyers passed out in the new area. The goal is to virtually track the dog by relying on generated sightings. It is also critical that the dog is not chased/pursued by anyone, including the owner, as it will just push them further out of the area. The text “Do not chase or call out to. Report sightings only.” needs to be on all social media posts and signs/flyers. In order to be trapped, the dog must feel safe returning to the same place consistently.
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Should you need further assistance please reach out and we will do our best to coach you or assist you further with finding your pet.
Email us at sriech714@gmail.com