National Lost Dog Awareness Day is April 23rd. This is a very important topic. Nobody wants to think of their beloved pets going missing. However, mishaps can and do happen. If your canine pal ever does get out, what you do next could make a huge difference. An Aurora, CO vet offers some advice on finding Fido in this article.
Start Searching Immediately
Don’t wait to see if Fido comes home. Start looking right away. Start with your immediate area, and then work out from there. Check ditches and wooded lots, in case your four-legged pal is lying injured just out of sight.
Offer A Reward
Make a flyer for your missing pooch. This doesn’t have to be fancy. You just need to include the most crucial information: Fido’s photo, your contact information, and the area and date he was last seen. Offering even a small reward can make a huge difference, so we advise doing that as well.
Check Shelters
Start checking local shelters. If you don’t find your canine buddy within a few days, start going to ones that are a bit further out.
Spread The Word
If you’re in any neighborhood groups on social media, start making posts there. Include the flyer and some cute pictures of your furry bff, and note the reward.
Watch Pet Ads
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people to steal dogs and sell them. If there’s a chance that Fido was stolen, it’s not a bad idea to monitor ads. Just contact law enforcement if you see any listings that could be your dog.
Enlist Help
If you’re on good terms with your neighbors, reach out to them and ask them for help. The more people looking for your canine companion, the better!
Contact Your Chip Manufacturer
Some chipmakers include perks with their products, such as phone trees and other resources. Find out if the company who made your furry friend’s chip offers anything like that. (It’s probably a good idea to check on this ahead of time, just in case.)
Don’t Give Up
While the odds of Fido coming home do decrease over time, there are cases where pups have been reunited with their humans after months or even years. Keep looking!
Do you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your local Aurora, CO animal clinic, today!
