Are you having a hard time finding your dog after a recent loss? Fear not, this is the right place for you! We understand how scary it can be to not know where your four-legged friend is.
A tractive GPS tracker is for dogs. Follow these steps to quickly reunite your furry friend. Before you begin your search, make sure to look at the most common reasons dogs go missing.
Step 1: Don’t panic… keep calm
A lost dog can be a nightmare for pet owners. It’s not surprising that you might feel anxious or scared right now. Your nervous system is alerting you to the danger of losing your dog and is readying your body for action.
This is a good thing. If you experience panicky or anxious feelings associated with losing your dog for too long, it can be dangerous to your health and counterproductive to your efforts in finding him/her. Keep calm and continue to search for your lost dog.
You may be asking, “How do I stay calm during such difficult times?” Start by looking at the following facts, which will show you that it is likely that your four-legged friend will soon be back together.
We have compiled these FAQs about lost dogs to help you make your mind at ease.
FAQs for Lost Dogs
- How many lost dogs have been reunited with their owners?
- The ASPCA’s national survey on lost pets found that 93% of the lost dogs were found and returned home safe and sound.
- Will a dog run away if it is not allowed to come home?
- Dogs are able to rely on familiar scents and travel long distances to find their way home. According to the study, 16% of lost dogs find their way home.
- What is the maximum time a dog can survive without being found?
- Even the most domesticated furry friend can survive and even thrive on their own. The instincts of a lost pet to find food or water will prevail, so a dog that is lost can survive for months, even years.
- How likely is it that you will find your dog lost within 24 hours?
There is a 90% chance that your dog will be found again within 12 hours.
You now have the facts in your head and are ready to find your furry friend and bring them home safely.
If your dog is lost and you have a Tractive GPS dog tracker
A Tractive GPS tracker is a great option for lost dogs. You can be sure that you are one step closer to your dog’s return. To locate your dog and bring it home, you should do the following:
- Turn on LIVE Tracking via the mobile or web app (if it is not already activated).
- Check the last known location of your dog in the app using the Location History function.
- Tell your family and friends that your dog is missing so they can help you find him.
- Use the Tracker Sharing feature to allow friends & family to track the dog too.
- Use the Find Mode to see if your dog is nearby.
If you are not sure, continue to step 2 to find your furry friend.
Step 2: Find your dog lost
It’s time for you to get your dog home if he or she hasn’t returned yet.
Assess the situation first:
- Did your dog wander off to safety?
- Did your dog get scared away by something or just want to have a good time?
- Is there anyone nearby that your dog might have visited?
- Is there any danger nearby? Are there places your pet could get into trouble?
- What distance do you think your dog could have traveled in the time that he or she was lost?
It’s important to remember that by asking these questions, and other pertinent questions, you can make your search more efficient. While you might have an idea of where your dog is, or what may have happened to him/her, don’t make any assumptions that will limit your search. Keep your eyes open to all possibilities. You don’t want your dog to think that they were stolen or attacked by wild animals and stop searching.
Use our checklist to find and locate your missing dog.
Checklist to find a lost dog
Find the location where the dog went missing
You can search your immediate vicinity and find the area where the dog went missing.
Name your dog
Calmly and calmly call your dog’s name. You don’t want your dog to be scared by your angry voice.
Ask for help from others
Ask your family and friends to help you search. Ask anyone who finds the dog to contact you before approaching the dog. Unknown persons approaching a lost dog can make it more fearful.
You must ensure that one person stays at home
If your dog is returning home on their own, make sure that you have at least one person who stays behind to take care of him or her.
Keep your door open
If your dog is lost or left at home while they are staying with a friend or family member, make sure the gate and door are open for them to return home unimpeded.
Bring your dog with you and all of his or her favorite things
Dogs can sense scents and follow them for miles. Make sure your dog’s favorite blanket, chew-toy, or bed is outside your front door. Your dog will be more likely to return home if they are following their scent-following instincts. This item should be familiar to your dog.
Track your steps
You may discover that your dog has returned to the same areas they frequented in the past.
Ask locals if they have seen your dog.
Ask people who pass by if they’ve seen your dog in the past while you search the area. Also, leave your number so they can contact you if the dog is found.
Expand your search
If your search is still unsuccessful, you can expand your area of interest or look into the neighborhood.
If you have followed the above steps but still haven’t found your dog, it is time to report him missing to the authorities.
Step 3: Report your dog missing or lost
You have many options to report your dog lost and help in the search. These are the steps you should take to notify your local authorities about the dog loss.
Post flyers for lost dogs around your community
Print flyers that include your dog’s information. You can place them around your area or in the area where they were lost. If possible, use neon paper to make the flyer more visible. A good lost pet sign includes:
- Description of the dog including any distinctive/remarkable features
- Photo of the dog
- Collar tag’s details
- Last known location
- Microchip ID number
- Your contact details
Tip: Use an online graphic design tool to create poster templates, you will only have to pick lost Dog poster template and complete it with your information. Once that is done, you can add your pet’s photo by clicking in the section titled “My photos” where you upload the images wanted to display on your poster. Just download it, share it online, or print it in less than 2 minutes. You can also use these templates for any other missing items you might have, such as bikes, backpacks, glasses, etc.
If you want to take this one step further, try car tagging as a means to help inform the community of your lost pet.
Alert your social media networks
Notify your social media networks of your dog’s disappearance. Include all relevant information and share it in any Facebook groups that are available for lost/missing dogs.
Get in touch with your local animal control authorities
In the event of your dog being lost, there are many organizations and groups that you should inform. First, notify your vet – especially if your dog has a microchip – this will ensure that they inform you promptly in the event your dog is found and taken to the vet.
To report your dog missing, call your local animal shelters or pet rescue centers to find out if someone has turned your dog in.
Finally, make sure to check if your city or town has a “missing pet” register. You can also register with the National Pet Register if your dog was lost in the UK.
Other options are available
To increase awareness and help you find your dog, consider placing an advertisement in the local newspaper or radio.
And most importantly…
Don’t give up! If your pet has been missing for a long time, it can be easy to become discouraged. Many pet owners, like you, have been there and succeeded in reunited their dogs. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, whether it takes hours or days, weeks or months, you still have hope that your dog will be found.
How to make sure your dog never gets lost again
You’d like to prevent your dog from ever getting lost, so you can avoid it. To prevent your dog from getting lost again, make sure you do the following:
- Make sure your dog wears a collar of high quality and includes a tag with your address.
- Microchip your dog and additionally equip him with a GPS tracker – since these are not the same thing but are both essential for any pet owner.
- Regular walks with your dog are a great way to get them to exercise and satisfy their curious side.
- You can keep your dog safe in a specially designed seat or cage for car rides.
- Regularly inspect your fence or gate for any weak points that could allow the animal to escape.
- Photograph your dog to ensure you have a record in case of an emergency.
The best-case scenario for lost dogs
Following steps 1 through 3 will help you bring your dog home. The ideal situation would be for your dog to always wear a GPS tracker that would enable you to locate your pet within seconds of their departure. The Tractive GPS tracker – a simple device that can be attached to any dog collar, and comes with it’s own app to help you locate your dog anytime – offers the following features:
- Live, real-time tracking – know where your furry friend is at all times
- Virtual Fence – This allows you to be notified instantly if your dog leaves a safe area.
- Locator History – See where your dog went over the past 24 hours.
- Family Sharing – Share your dog’s tracker and information with family members, friends, and the dog-sitter so that everyone can keep an eye.
- You can activate Light and Sound to locate your dog when he is out of sight.
- Activity Monitoring – Keep track of your dog’s activity and fitness levels!
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