What if?

Here's what to do if your dog is lost

• Contact your chip company, making sure your details are correct and up to date.
  
  Contacts other local vets, rescues and dog wardens and inform them that your dog is missing.
  
  Monitor your phone 24/7
• If lost from home make sure someone is always at home.
• Make sure that your dog can access your garden/property so they can get back in. Leave the dogs bedding and some of your unwashed clothes in the garden/porch and hopefully your dog will pick up on the scent and return to you. Leave some of their food/treats by the gate and house door.
  
  Thoroughly check your house and garden, under hedges, in sheds, garages, outbuildings in case they have got stuck or shut in (dogs often stay quiet if they are stuck or shut in).
• Stay in the area they went missing from and try to remain there for as long as possible and hopefully your dog will pick up on the scent and return to you. When you have to leave, place an item of your clothing there, together with some treats/food.
  
  If you drove to where your dog was lost, and if safe to do so, leave your vehicle engine running and a door open as dogs can recognise the sound of your vehicle.
• Make sure you don’t have crowds of ‘well meaning’ people searching and shouting out the name of your dog, as after a few hours, they will go into feral mode and will run and hide. Ask people not to approach the dog but to immediately call you regarding times, sightings, and locations.
  
  If sighted remember DO NOT CHASE OR SHOUT
  
  Gain your dogs trust no matter how long it takes, lay down to their level and speak gently. Use treats to gain their trust (the smellier the better). Wait until your dog comes to you.
  
  Never give up hope - no news is good news and its very common to have no sightings for a while.
• Motorways - Central Highways 0300 123 5000 – ask for the regional office
  
  Railways - Network Rail 0345 7114141 
  
  Canal/rivers - 0303 0404040 or 0800 4799947
• Go out early in the morning or late at night when its quieter and call your dog, they maybe sheltering nearby.
  
  Check neighbourhood CCTV/Ring doorbell footage for sightings
  
  Postering is very important as not everyone uses social media. Place them in local shops, doctors, dentists, petrol stations, libraries, coffee shops etc  Beware of scam callers – if you receive a call demanding money for the return of your dog call 101 immediately and make a note of the number if possible.
• Speak to the following local companies/people: Taxi companies, maybe they can inform their driver to be on the look out whilst driving around locally
  
  Postal workers, refuse collectors, dog walkers
  
  If trapping/tracking is required contact your local Drone SAR and also local animal groups as they may have information/advice/support/equipment.

Here's what to do if your dog is stolen

Call the Police and obtain a Crime Reference Number (CRN) - we advise that you check CCTV footage(if available), to strengthen your case when filing theft with the police.

Contact your Microchip company and ensure your details are up to date and flag as ‘Missing’, then upgrade to ‘Stolen’ upon receipt of the CRN

Check CCTV/ring doorbell footage at your property, neighbours and locally

Compile your own social media post with as much information as possible (we have alerted all the local groups as well as your Breed group nationally)

As well as informing your local dog warden and rescue centres, it’s advisable to contact other vets, rescues, and dog wardens outside of your area, as occasionally the thieves panic and will let the dog free on the streets.

Monitor your phone 24/7

Postering is very important as not everyone uses social media. Place them in local shops, doctors, dentists, petrol stations, libraries, coffee shops etc  Speak to local Taxi companies, they can inform their driver to be on the look out whilst driving around, postal workers, refuse collectors, dog walkers etc