Lost Dog on a Walk

Dog Lost can help you create a poster

Lost Dog on a walk…

So, you’re out and about enjoying the beautiful Dorset countryside (or beaches) with your furry best friend, and then you suddenly realise . . . you can’t see your dog.

You scan all around you but you can’t see them, or hear them. A few moments pass and you start to feel that prickly panic creeping in. After shouting their name for several more minutes to no avail, it’s time to face the possibility that your dog may be missing.

 Stay calm. Breathe. Here’s what you need to do next:

Immediate Actions (first half-hour of a dog going missing)

  • Try not to panic, this goes against the grain but you have a better chance of dealing with the situation if you can remain level headed. Focus on your breathing and slowing it down or at least keeping your awareness on it.

  • Spend around half an hour cheerfully calling/whistling your dog, retracing your steps if possible. If you can make familiar sounds such as rattling their treat tin this may help.

  • You can also try rolling treats in your fingers to cover with your scent and then leave a trail as you walk so they can follow it to you.

  • Ask other dog walkers if they have seen your dog or anything that may help i.e. strange behaviour or vehicles. Give them your number if you’re comfortable in doing so and suggest a meeting spot, like the car park, that you can circle back to.

  • Stop and listen often.

  • Check back at the car/car park frequently.

  • If you have a rough idea of the area the dog was lost in, leave an item of your clothing on the ground. Some dogs will return to the scent. It may be a good idea to take a notepad and pen with you to leave a note for other walkers to let them know not to pick up the clothing.

 

Secondary Actions (approx. 1 hour after dog going missing)

  • Post it on social media, some people leave it hours before they post and this can reduce the chance of you being reunited.

  • Example;

  • Our strategy on Dog Friendly Dorset to help find Newton was this:

    1. I contacted Newton's mum and got the details of what happened, last time spotted, whether he had a collar on, if he was dog & human friendly, her contact details

    2. Put an appeal on our Dog Friendly Dorset facebook group with a link to a whatsapp group called FIND NEWTON. Included: map of last sighting, pictures of him facing front and the side body, images (see below) of professional advice on how to search

    3. Set up a WhatsApp group and link for people to join with live updates to coordinate. Set-up a meeting spot and time for everyone to spread out in pairs

    4. Gave clear instructions to not shout his name when searching. Work silently. Only send sightings to Newton’s mum to come and retrieve him and not the whole group.

    5. Create a poster (Dog Lost can help) that can be shared to the following:

    Vets

    Supermarkets

    Convenience stores

    Schools

    Online groups

    Please share with Dog Walkers, Delivery drivers and children (children spread news like wild fire)

It’s also worth sharing a post with as much description as possible to your local dog friendly Facebook groups (such as Dog Friendly Dorset. Dog Friendly Dorset Facebook group is a community page so we will help you. Ask us to come out to help you search, to distribute neighbourhood leaflets, whatever you need. We are here for you.

After a few hours:

Your dog may have gone into panic and there is a real danger of chasing them away. DO NOT call name, set up treat stations, seek help from Drone support.

DRONE SAR UK https://www.facebook.com/groups/134125720518945

Contacts

If you lose your dog in Dorset, this list of contacts will be useful.

Contact DogLost*

  • Register with www.doglost.co.uk, it’s free and they will create a printable poster for you and send email alerts to local helpers.

If you create your own poster, make sure to include

  • A selection of up-to-date photos of your dog from several angles

    1. Your dog’s name

    2. Your contact numbers

    3. Where and when your dog went missing, with a map

    4. Description

    5. Include tear-off tags at the bottom with your contact number

    6. Where to display posters

      • Supermarket notice boards

      • Launderettes

      • Pet stores

      • Give to postmen/women and delivery persons like DFD and UPS to include in their run

Try and engage local children in the search, they will remind adults and keep the search going

Contact local dog walkers and trainers. If your dog has been rehomed the new owners may seek out training. Also, dog walkers will be covering your area frequently throughout the day.

Call the local Dog Warden if you lose your dog in Dorset.

  • Bournemouth 01202 45 13 06

    1. Christchurch 08451 30 76 87

    2. East Dorset 01202 63 90 30

    3. North Dorset 01258 45 41 11

    4. Poole 01202 26 17 00

    5. Purbeck 01929 55 72 77

    6. West Dorset 01305 25 10 10

    7. Weymouth & Portland 01305 83 84 68

Get in touch with your vet/microchipping company if your dog is chipped. Make sure they have the most up to date contact information for you.

Contact other local vets in case anyone takes your dog there to be scanned. You can find contact numbers here: www.any-uk-vet.co.uk

Get in touch with local rescue centres

  • Margaret Green, Blandford 01929 471 340

    1. Margaret Green, Church Knowle 01929 480 474

    2. RSPCA, Dorchester 01305 259 672

    3. RSPCA, Ashley Heath 0300 123 0749