First, search your property thoroughly. Small dogs can get into some mighty strange places.
Walk the neighborhood, talk to everybody, and leave your phone number.
Go to each house in the area where your pet was lost and talk to the residents. Write down a description of your lost pet and your phone number and leave it with them. Leave it attached to their door if they are not home.
Talk to everybody you run across. Give them a written description of your pet and your phone number as well.
Try to get all the neighborhood children involved. Kids are great at finding lost pets!
Ask everybody if they saw or heard anything unusual in the neighborhood and carefully write down everything they tell you. This could include strange vehicles, work crews, people, or activities. Get detailed descriptions of everything.
Don't travel alone. Take a friend or family member with you.
Don't write down your name or address, only your phone number. Because of scam artists and other criminals, it is never a good idea to publicize this information.
Offer a reward, but don't state the amount.
Call out your dog’s name loudly, so your pet can hear you from a great distance.
If your dog has a favorite "squeaky toy" bring it along and use it to help you make familiar noises.
Use an "Acme Dog Whistle" to get your pet's attention. The high-pitched sound from these whistles can carry up to a mile or more. Cats are attracted to this sound as well as dogs.
Carry a box of your pet's favorite treats and rattle the box while calling your pet's name.
It's also important to stop regularly, be quiet, and listen for your pet to make a noise in reply.
Bring a powerful flash-light for checking in dark places, as an injured dog will hide in places such as garages and sheds.
Place strong-scented articles outside your home to attract your pet.
Dirty clothes such as socks and work-out cloths are very effective.
Put out some food with a strong aroma such as tuna, sardines, or freshly cooked chicken.
Call local veterinarian offices and veterinarian emergency clinics.
Find out if your dog was injured and taken to any of these offices or clinics for treatment.
Also ask them for the phone numbers of local rescue organizations.
Call each of the rescue groups to see if one has your pet.
Visit your local Animal Control, humane societies, and animal shelters. You must visit every day or two.
Be sure to check all areas of the shelter, including the infirmary. Also be aware that dogs may be housed in the cat section and vice-versa.
Leave a picture of your pet and your phone number at each shelter.
Find out the holding period of each animal control and humane shelter. Be aware of how much time you have to claim your pet before it is euthanized!
Ask Animal Control, humane societies, and shelters about pet rescue groups in your area.
Usually there are smaller pet rescue groups that work with the local humane shelter. They often take pets from the shelter to save them from euthanasia and adopt them out to new homes.
Post flyers within 1-mile of where your dog was last seen. The more flyers you post the better, as they produce more "finds" than any other method. The flyer should include a color photo of your dog, and the paper should be a bright color for maximum visibility.
Do not put your name or address on the flyer for your personal safety.
List the date and place your pet was lost, breed of dog, sex, age, weight, color, markings, and your telephone number. Offer a reward, but don't state the amount.
It is very important to withhold a few identifying marks and characteristics of your lost pet. You may need to use these later to verify that a person has actually found your pet and is not trying to scam you.
Post the flyers at waist level on telephone poles and at eye level in offices, stores, schools, and churches.
Examine your posted flyers frequently and replace the ones that are missing.
Place an Ad in your local newspaper. Some papers will offer this for free.
Check the newspaper "found" ads every day.
Lastly, don't ever give up! Pets have been known to find their way back home after being lost for several months. Good luck!
