Tips For Keeping Your Dog Safe; How to Find Your Lost Dog

Tag your pet.  In some towns, this is required by law along with a rabies tag.

Consider GPS tracking for your pet.  If your pet is an escape artist, GPS with a smart phone app maybe a good investment.  Search keywords  “gps pet tracker” to see companies who offer this technology.

For smaller pets that may not go as far a field, consider Bluetooth enabled stickers with smart phone app.  Search keywords “bluetooth sticker” for suppliers.

There also QR smart phone tags.  When these tags are scanned with a smart phone, your pet’s info pops up on the phone of those who scanned it.  It can also send you an email to let you know that someone scanned the tag.  This is a nice addition to the micro-chip if the finder is unable to get your pet to Animal Control or a vet in a timely fashion for identification.  Search keywords “qr tag pet” for stores.

If someone other than you or any of the family members that the pet lives with are taking your dog out for any reason, have them take the pet out on a leash no matter what!  Your friends would feel awful if your pet escaped on their watch.  

Periodically check the fenced yard your pet uses.  Check for broken pieces on wood fences and bent areas on chain link fences.  Make sure lawn clippings piles and wood piles are not too close to a fence line giving your pet an easy stairway over a fence.

Interview all pet care givers that interact with your pet and in some cases your home.  Have a meet and greet with the caregiver and the pet.  Are they insured? Bonded? Licensed if your jurisdiction requires?  Do they have references?  Any internet reviews?  DO THEY HAVE A LOST PET PLAN??  

Always require that all caregivers have a leash on your pet when out of doors.

Have pictures of your pet on your phone or in your computer archives.  Especially useful, are pictures of your pet next to an object (like a footstool) to give a sense of the pet’s size.  Have a picture that shows and unusual markings or features like two different colored eyes or odd shaped spots, etc.  If a lost flyer needs to be made, it can be done in a hurry.

Let neighbors know that pet is missing.

Contact town police and Animal Control.

Post listing on Lost Dogs Illinois

Have family and friends search with flyers in hand or at the very least a picture on their phone.

Have someone contact any vets or shelters in your area by phone.

Drop off or email a “Missing” flyer to all area vets, shelters & rescues.

Use social media and other internet portals but do not offer a reward as this can attract scammers. Have your Facebook/ Twitter friends in the local area spread the word.

Put flyers in the windows of local stores, especially gas stations.

Think outside the box:  put up stake signs (yard sale signs) with your flyer on it at local intersections.  Live near a sports field?  Hand out flyers there.  Live near a commuter train station?  Put up flyers there.  Live near a school? Leave flyers at the main desk to be given to the PE and maintenance staff.  Live near farmland?  Ask the owner if you can check the outbuildings.

If your pet is still missing after several days, re-group and touch base with all contacts.

Continue developing new contacts to send information to and try to stay motivated during your search.