How to proceed when a dog runs astray?

It is an unenviable situation no four-legged companion´s owner would like to get into. When your dog runs astray during a walk, for example because it discovers a hole in the fence or senses another animal that catches its attention, many of us panic and despair. Actually, this one is a natural reaction, however for the good of our four-legged friend, it is necessary to keep a calm head and set up a systematic procedure in order to find him. What is a plan like that to look like?

Stay as long as possible on the same spot

Ideally, stay as long as possible, at the spot where your dog got lost, ideally for a few hours, trying to look for your companion. You can ask passers-by for help, as their help often becomes invaluable. Dogs are usually trying to return on their own, so if you stay in place, there is a big chance to your hairy four-legged four legged soon. If you still have to leave that place, try to return to it as soon as possible and go on searching.

 

The mighty power of the Internet

Today, social networks also have great power. If you know about a local neighborhood Facebook group, try sharing your problem there. You will see that you might get a lot of help. Try the social networks power in other groups focussing on dogs as well. For example, try groups dealing with specific breeds. You may be rejected due to these groups´ advertising policies, but you never know who will read the post and how it can help you.

 

Don't forget the officers

The next step is to get in touch with the competent authorities. Even the municipal police can help you and will take your phone number to be able to call you if new information about your pet appears. Additionally, the municipal city police is also the body called by those who find an abandoned dog. Thus, if you provide enough credentials, there is a very decent chance of success.

 

It is good to call the National Register of Animal Owners, especially if your dog is chipped. All you have to do is telling the registry staff your dog's chip number and reporting your contact data. Thanks to this, information about your dog will spread into the world more easily. Some National Register of Animal Owners services are free of charge, others, such as connections with shelters, are paid.

 

Get in touch with nearby shelters

Don't forget the abandoned animal shelters in your vicinity. This is where dogs found without an owner are brought to, either by municipal police officers or, for example, by a conscious citizen. Furthermore, these shelters usually follow strict animal identification regulations, so it is possible that it will be them to detect your lost dog.

 

Local authorities can also help

Don't forget the municipal authorities either, as it is them who are in charge of capturing the animals. Even if your dog will not yet have been captured, you will at least further disseminate this information to have a better chance of success again. If the dog runs astray in the woods, try to get in touch with the relevant hunting association, which can help you with the search.

 

 

Related articles

How to Take Care of a Pack of Drafting Dogs

Sometimes, one dog is not enough and it is better to have a whole pack. Especially if you breed drafting (or also pulling) dogs. Of course, the more dogs you have, the more care and issues it means, but it also means there’s much more joy for the...

Why is There a Variety of Breeds?

The modern world is not only rich in material things but also in the number of dog breeds. There are quite a lot of them, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes 360 different breeds. And they are not only different from each other when...

How to Start with Dogdancing

You might be interested in this dog sport but you have many questions before you can decide to start with it. Will my buddy enjoy it? Do I have sufficient physical abilities? When should we start, isn’t it too soon or too late? This article and advice...

3 Ways to Keep Cat’s Teeth Healthy and Clean

A healthy mouth is a very important part of the complex vitality of a cat and we shouldn’t neglect taking care of it. There are many oral diseases our furry friends can suffer from. What can you do to keep your cat’s teeth clean?

What to Do When a Viper Bites a Dog

Snakes and scorpions are said to get out on Saint George’s Day. It has been a while since then, so it’s no surprise that we can see a lizard or a snake when on a walk somewhere or in our gardens. They already left their underground shelters designed...

Bikejöring – A Different Dog Sledding

Bikejöring doesn’t mean that a dog simply runs next to a bike. The dog pulls the bike when doing this sport, it is similar to dog sledding. A famous Slovak musher, Marcel Dučák, will tell us what equipment you need for it, what dogs it is good for,...