Written by Debbie Hall
Response
time is always crucial. You need all the help you can get. If
you have family or friends who can assist you, then divide the work. Carry out these tasks immediately
upon losing a dog:
WALK, RUN
& DRIVE around the area.
Talk to anyone outside, but quickly, and see if they saw your dog.
Create a FLYER
with a picture of the dog. Call the
local authorities to see if there is an ordinance that prohibits the posting of
flyers or signs on utility poles. If
so, what about realtor-type signs in the ground?
Create SIGNS
using heavy paper stock in a fluorescent color. Stick to basics, as you need all the details to be big, bold and
easy to read from a distance. People in
vehicles need to see it all at a glance.
Use signs in addition to flyers that you post in stores and give
as handouts. Post signs and
flyers on telephone poles, depending on foot/car traffic and sidewalks. Realtor signs can be used as an alternative
to posting on poles. Get permission
from property owners before putting
them on private property. Illegally
posted signs that are removed by others waste valuable time.
CALL the local
Animal Control Officer (ACO) immediately, no matter what
the hour. Leave a message if
necessary. You can get the ACO’s name
& number by calling the Police Department’s non-emergency number. ACO’s can be full or part time. Some towns share and big cities may have
several. As soon as possible, get a
picture flyer with detailed description to the ACO and the person(s) responsible for removal of dead animals from the
street. If your dog was bought from a
breeder or adopted from Rescue, you need to call them NOW. Do not hesitate. You need the help they can give you. Dogs can cross into other towns very
quickly. Call and get a flyer to
the ACO of each surrounding town.
GIVE
FLYERS TO: owners, managers or department heads, talking with the
person in charge when possible. Ask that they post your flyer in an area
frequented by the employees. Circulate
flyers to: Police & fire depts., Veterinarians, shelters, kennels,
breeders, groomers, pet sitters, farm feed and pet supply stores, doughnut
shops, convenience food stores, golf courses, amusement parks, airports, senior
centers, churches, libraries, car dealers, junkyards, rubbish transfer stations
or the local “dump,” public works, local and state highway, parks &
recreation, school buildings/grounds, cable, gas and electric companies. Visit any place that sells or serves
food and also talk with the cook or person who throws the trash into the
dumpster. Give flyers to walkers,
joggers, people with dogs, mail trucks, FED EX, UPS, landscapers, construction
crews, rubbish and recycling trucks.
Place an ad with a picture in the local paper. Sometimes the local “free” paper will run an
ad for you. Tape signs/flyers on your
vehicle for maximum publicity. Stay
“ahead” and go to homes & businesses within a 3-mile radius to post and
hand out flyers. Skip around if
necessary, but cover key areas. Post at
intersections, school districts and athletic fields. If you have help, the search area can be expanded immediately or
on a “as needed” basis. It is far
better to talk to people in the area than to stuff a mailbox (illegal). Leave flyers on windshields, under
flowerpots, in newspaper bins, etc.
Paper carriers might help by giving flyers to customers. Smile, be polite, courteous
& always on a positive note.
Go to search areas with flyers at different times throughout the day
& evening. Let people know that
they are vital to successful lost dog search efforts and reinforce “Do Not Chase - Call Us.” Tell everyone; if the flyers remain posted,
the dog is still missing.
Dogs may return to
the area from which they bolted at any time, whether or not they are familiar with the place.
Anticipate their
possible return and place these items outside the door normally used when
walking the dog:
food, water and familiar scent items such as the dog’s
blanket, crate, toy, owner’s smelly shirt, socks or used pillowcase. Try to keep items dry and in a sheltered
location.
Lostdogsearch@aol.com 10/2002