What to do when a dog goes missing
The first few hours are critical. Stay calm, act quickly, and follow these expert-led emergency steps to secure your dog’s safety and begin the search effectively.  Get in touch with us as soon as you can.
1. Stay at the Point of Escape
Whenever possible, one person should remain at the spot where the dog was last seen. Dogs often backtrack to where they lost their owner. If more than one person, one should go to the car (if you have driven to the location) or home if you have walked.
2. Avoid Calling or Chasing
Entering survival mode can make dogs fearful even of their owners. Advise search parties not to chase, shout, or try to catch the dog, but to report sightings immediately.
3. Make Sure the Microchip Details Are Up to DateÂ
If you can't find details of your microchip company, your vet should be able to help you - it is vital that your phone number is up to date with the micro chip company.
Important Phone Numbers
Online Resources
The Importance of Posters
Posters remain the single most effective tool for generating sightings and bringing a lost dog home. They act as your 24/7 volunteer search team.
- Use white background and red banners for visibilityÂ
- Keep text minimal: 'LOST DOG', area, and phone number(s)
- Include one or two clear, high-quality photos of the dog
- Laminate or use upside down plastic sleeves to protect from weather
- Strategic placement: focus on major junctions and exit points
- You need more posters than you think - plan for 150-200 to begin withÂ
Scent Collection
Once you have identified one or more scent articles, please handle them as little as possible; please place to article in a clean plastic bag and leave it sealed until our team arrives
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Good Scent Items
Articles that have been in regular contact with the missing dog, i.e. dog blanket, harness or collar, towel, brush, car mat, etcÂ
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Poor Scent Items
New or unused articles, items recently washed, food bowls, dog food packaging, items that have been heavily handled by multiple people; items shared with other dogs
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Scent Items
To give our tracking dogs the best possible change of locating a missing dog, we need a scent article that carries the missing dog's unique scent. Without a suitable scent article, our dogs cannot identify the individual scent they need to follow, making it impossible for us to carry out a tracking search.Â