Little Dog Lost

We at DRBC are no different than you, we have 'misplaced' a few in our time.  We know how you feel.  Please read Smokey's Story below and you will see what we mean.

Smokey’s Story

Step

Description

Prepare A Flyer

• Use your most current photo of your dog, and use very large lettering that will catch the eye of drivers with the words "MISSING".
• Include your immediate contact information, address, cell phone number, home phone number, and numbers to call if you can not be reached.
• Describe your dog, but leave out some quick identifying feature if you are offering a reward (if your dog has a strange white patch on her chest, just use "black with white patch"), to prevent the unscrupulous from trying to take advantage of you.
• Tape your flyer everywhere. Telephone poles, mailboxes, under windshield wipers of vehicles in your neighborhood.

Call the Police

The police officers on duty will often hear first if the worst happens and the dog has been hit by a car.

Call Animal Control

Don't know how to reach them? Call your local fire department or police station, they will find the number for you.

Call Radio Stations

Many do this free of charge, and many have personnel available at all hours to answer the phone.

Enlist the Help of Postal Workers, FedEx, UPS or Anyone Else Working In The Area

Make a point of meeting your mail delivery person and handing them a copy of your poster. They might spot your dog on their rounds. Do the same with the garbage collectors and the utility department meter readers as well as the persons who deliver the daily papers.

Prepare Cards

Make up cards with the dogs picture, the date lost, phone numbers...and hand those out to children, people out walking their dogs, running, riding bikes etc. Sometimes they throw away flyers, where they'll keep a business card.

Think Like Your Dog

What does she like? Where would she be most likely to head? Is there another house/yard in the neighborhood similar to yours? She might be there. If she's crossed a street, she might have a visual barrier preventing her (in her mind) from returning. Follow the lay of the land -- which way would you be most likely to go if you were she? Put one of your other dogs on a leash and see which way it's inclined to head for a general idea

Place Food and Water Out

Place food and water next to the entrance your dog usually uses.  Your dog may be closer than you think.

Make Posters with Impact

Try writing big red letters on poster "CHILD’S BELOVED PET" -- Maybe you'll tug at someone's heartstrings if they think the dog belongs to a child.  Place the posters in markets, drug stores and banks.

Put A Poster in Your Car

Tape one of those large posters to the back of your vehicle (and your friend’s) , so everywhere you go, "people" know "somebody" is still looking for this dog, as is not going "to just go away !"

Contact Area Veterinarians

Mail flyers to all local vets (within 30 minutes driving distance).

Visit Shelters

Visit shelters daily in person. Don’t just call, often a dog is misrepresented as a different breed altogether, ask to see ALL animals, including the ones in the back awaiting euthanization.

Visit Dog Parks

Hand out flyers and cards with the information to everybody at your local dog park, or any other popular dog area.

Remember

• If your dog has been spooked into running, she might not come running back to you, even when she hears your voice calling. This is why it is very important to listen carefully for whimpering, whining, and to shine that flashlight underneath porches, vehicles, and other potential hiding spots. Don't count on a spot being too small, either! It's surprising how tight a space a terrified dog can squeeze into.
  
• Don’t panic.  You can do that after the dog is found.