What to Do if You Lose Your Dog

Losing your dog is one of the scariest things that can happen to a dog owner. They’re our best friend, our family, our whole world… so it’s important to be prepared. Accidents happen all the time, so the team at Fi is here to cover everything you should do if your dog runs off.

Don’t Panic

It’s easier said than done, but try to keep a calm and clear head so you can think through the best strategy to start your search. Take a few deep breaths, contact some friends and family near you who can help, and begin your search.

Search Your Neighborhood

If you immediately noticed that your dog ran off, odds are they may still be in the area. Go by foot or drive very slowly around your neighborhood, keeping an eye out for your pup or any joggers/walkers who may have seen them.

Contact Local Shelters, Vet Hospitals, or Animal Control Facilities

Most lost dogs that do not have any ID on them will be brought to shelters, vet offices, or animal control to hold onto them while they try to find the owner. If your dog is microchipped, these places can also scan your dog’s chip, so keep your phone on you in case they try to get in touch. 

Ask Your Community for Help

We all need an extra hand sometimes – posting flyers around town is a great way to spread the word about your missing pup. Many businesses also have bulletin boards for local news where you can post your flyer. 

Be sure to include your dog’s name, weight, color, a picture of them, and any important information (this may include “Do not chase”, “Nervous dog”, or any health concerns). Monetary rewards can be a great incentive for your community to help, but be sure to watch out for people that may be pretending to have information just to get the reward.

Take to Social Media

We are all on our phones 24/7 these days, so utilizing the powers of Facebook and Instagram are great ways to increase reach. Post a digital flyer on your story, ask local businesses to reshare it on their account, and DM people who may be able to help you look. The great part is that anything posted on social media is shareable, so many people are more than happy to share a lost dog post with their followers as well.

Of course, the best way to keep your pet safe is through prevention. There are a bunch of easy steps you can take to both ensure your pup doesn’t stray too far and to help increase the odds of finding them if they do sneak off.

The first is super simple and cheap – get an ID tag! Sadly, so many dogs that go missing do not have ID tags, so even if they are found, it’s difficult to contact the owners. Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times and don’t forget to update it if your phone or address changes.

Second is microchipping! This tiny little piece of technology is another great and easy tool that can reunite you with your dog. If your lost pup is brought to a shelter or vet, they can scan the microchip and find your information to contact you. A common misconception is that microchips can tell you your dog’s location – they cannot. They can help finders get in touch with you if your dog is found, but if you are looking for a more proactive way to track your dog’s location, a GPS collar is a must. 

GPS collars, like Fi, will tell you your dog’s exact location at any given time. Fi also sends an alert to your phone if your dog leaves home. So imagine how much easier this whole process would be with a smart dog collar! Not only is it a priceless tool when it comes to finding your dog, it gives dog owners so much peace of mind knowing that everything they need to keep their dog safe is right at their fingertips.