How to Find a Lost Dog

The key to recovering a beloved pet is not to wait for the pet to return on its own. It is critical to act immediately. Here are eight valuable tips to remember when a pet is missing.

• Ask family members, friends and neighbors to help. Drive around with your windows down and call out the name of the pet. This is one occasion when neighbors will understand the noise. Have friends and family walk the neighborhood and call out the pet's name also.

• Be sure to share that your pet is missing with the people in your neighborhood. As the search begins, be sure to notify the neighborhood children, mail carriers, paper delivery folks and other neighborhood regulars about the missing pet. Provide a clear description to everyone involved in the initial search. Share distinguishing details about how the pet looks.

• Ask the neighbors to check their backyards and sheds. A frightened pet might be hiding nearby. A great time to search is at night with a flashlight.

• Lay out a sent marker for the pet. Animals have a keen sense of smell. A piece of clothing hung near your home can help the missing pet find its way home. Familiar smells like cat boxes or a child's toy will work also.

• Put up fliers. A good flier is easy to read from a distance. Place them in sight of both pedestrians and drivers. Be sure to include a contact number, the pet's name and breed. Also, offer a reward. If a photograph is included on the flier, make sure that the image photocopies well. Put fliers on cars and doors in your neighborhood.

• Contact local animal shelters. Fill out a lost report as soon as possible. Follow up and visit the shelters daily and leave a picture of the pet with them.

• Contact local veterinarians. Be sure to inquire about an unidentified, injured animal.

• Place a lost ad. The local paper, craigslist.org, petfinders.com are great places to start. Check the found ads too!