Missing Dogs


The problem of stolen dogs has been increasing over recent years. Whether a dog is stolen or lost, the experience can be extremely distressing – and confusing; sometimes people do not know what to do or where to start if their animal goes missing. There are many organisations which can help and steps which can be taken to ensure dogs are returned to their owners as quickly as possible.


Links

www.doglost.co.uk
It transfers the owner’s details free of charge onto the site and offers free advice and support. Doglost will write a press release for you and provide the numbers of local press and radio stations. Doglost’s staff will also speak to the press for owners if necessary and will provide posters – which can be delivered by email – so they can be put up throughout the area.

www.dogtheftaction.com
A campaigning group which ‘promotes the protection, security and welfare of dogs from the threat of theft by the provision of advice, information and education, leading to a reduction in the incidents of dog theft, and thereby avoiding unnecessary suffering and distress to dogs and their owners’.

www.missingpetsbureau.com
The bureau operates a national missing pets register and works with 12,000 pet care organisations, including charities, rescue centres, dog wardens, the police and vets.

www.lostdogsuk.com
Help for people who have lost a dog – and those who have found them. The site contains lists of missing and found animals.

www.nationalpetregister.org
This site also offers a found and missing pets register.

www.vetsgetscanning.co.uk
The aim of this appeal is to get vets or their receptionists to scan all the dogs on their books, and for vets to adopt a practice policy through which all dogs are routinely scanned on their first visit.

www.themissinglist.co.uk On which lost and found dogs can be posted.

www.thekennelclub.org.uk (Petlog, its pet reunification service through the use of microchips)
Petlog carries the details of more than 3.5 million animals and their owners, and manages a 24/7 central reunification service.

www.dog-register.co.uk (tattooing)
Dog tattoo identification offers a permanent and visible means of identifying your pet. The tattoo is applied within seconds, and requires no anaesthetic or sedation.

www.animalsearchuk.co.uk
Animal Search UK 01432 761 406 - Open 7 days a week 9am-9pm. Free advertising for lost and found pets and free help and advice. The UK’s only uniformed search team for missing and stolen dogs run by former police officer Tom Watkins.


Below is a guide for people who have lost their dog or believe it may have been stolen:


When someone loses their dog they are confused and unsure what to do and who to contact. By following Doglost’s simple guidelines the process won’t seem so daunting. So here is what to do if you lose your dog:

Immediately contact your local dog warden.
You can get in touch with the dog warden by contacting your local council. Give them as much information as you can, such as details of colour, coat type, size, age, distinguishing marks, sex, breed, identification used etc. Ensure that the contact numbers you give are reachable 24 hours a day. If you closely border other council areas it will be worth your while to also contact neighbouring authorities. Ask what kennels the dog wardens use to house stray dogs.

Contact the police for the area in which you lost your dog.
Give them as much information as you can, breed, sex, colour, rough age, collar details and any unusual markings that make your dog stand out from the crowd. Again, if you closely border other police authority areas contact them too.

Contact your local vets
Look in your local Yellow Pages for their contact details and phone through your missing dog report; most vets keep a lost and found book. Again, make sure you describe your dog accurately. Get posters into the practices most local to you.

Is your dog permanently identifiable?
A lot of dogs are now permanently identifiable by means of a micrcochip or tattoo. If your dog is microchipped contact Petlog on 0870 6066751. For dogs who carry tattoos contact the National Tattoo Register on 01255 552455. If you own a tattooed Greyhound you will have to contact the Retired Greyhound Trust on 0870 4440673. When contacting these people please ensure that your contact information is up-to-date.

Contact Doglost
Contact Doglost as soon as possible on 08448 003220. It’s important that we have a photograph of your missing dog so we can build your poster and email helpers in your immediate area. We realise that some owners may not have one, and if this is the case we can usually find a suitable library picture.

Personally visit your local stray dog kennels
Always pay regular visits to your local stray dog kennels. Remember, your dog is only unique to you! Do not rely on someone at the end of the phone to identify a dog as yours; many lost dogs are not reunited with their owners because of this simple mistake. Most stray dogs only get seven days’ grace, waiting to be claimed, before they can be rehomed so please keep this in mind.

Other things you can do.
Contact local pet shops, grooming parlours, other local animal rescues and animal hospitals. Watch out for ‘found’ advertisements in local newspapers. Look out for ‘found’ posters in your area. Place adverts in local newspapers.

POSTER, POSTER, POSTER!!!
Get posters of your missing dog out there – bus shelters, lampposts, shopping areas, schools, refuse collection depots, postal sorting offices and dog walking areas.

Thanks to Doglost (www.doglost.co.uk) for its help in providing these pointers.