One of the worst things that can happen to a devoted dog lover, is for their precious friend to go missing.

If you are unlucky enough to lose your dog there is a very good chance of being reunited with them, and if they are microchipped the chances increase. 

Here are some suggestions to help 

Phone the dog warden in your area. If a dog is found straying they will often be called to pick up the dog and they keep records of any that they find. They are legally responsible for stray dogs, and have to keep them for 7 days before rehoming them, passing them on to rescue centres, or possibly even euthanizing them. Don’t just call once, do it daily until your pet is found. Remember that dogs can cover a great distance if they are in a new area, panicked, or frightened, so please don’t just contact your nearest warden. Dog warden contact can be found via your local council websites. 

Contact rescue centres in your surrounding areas. Don’t just call the nearest ones, you should also try ones further afield. Local rescue centres often have contact numbers for other centres. You can also use the Association of Dogs & Cats Homes webpage to search by postcode area.

Contact Dog Lost at https://www.doglost.co.uk/ they will make a poster for you and the area coordinator will be able to help. They are a nationwide organization and are very experienced.

Tell the police and log your details with them.

Phone local vets. Sometimes members of the public will take stray dogs to their local vets themselves rather than wait for a dog warden.

Social media sites such as Facebook are both effective and free, and a great way to spread the word about your lost dog fast.

Please remember that the best, cheapest and most convenient way of ensuring your pet is traceable is to have it micro-chipped. If a stray dog is taken to any vet, rescue centre, local authority or pound it will immediately be scanned to see if it is micro-chipped. If your dog is chipped then you will be contacted immediately and reunited with your  friend. Micro-chipping only works if the contact details for the microchip are correct and up to date. It is your responsibility to make sure the microchip company has your up to date details. It is now a legal requirement that all dogs are micro-chipped.

On a practical level you should walk your usual dog walks, just in case your dog is hanging around an area they are already knows. Look around the local area, and if you have moved house recently check your former address – dogs are clever enough to find their way back to their old house. Always think about places where your dog might be trapped – garages, work sites, neglected buildings, and even neighbours houses.  You can also leave item with your scent on them in the area which may attract your dog back to the spot. 

Most importantly, don’t give up! 

Firstly, don’t panic. This is easier said than done but you need to keep a clear head.  Time is important, the sooner you start looking the sooner you will be reunited. 

To be absolutely sure your cat is really missing check the house thoroughly; cats have an amazing ability to hide in the smallest of spaces. Cats also like to get into cars and fall asleep. Check your vehicles and think if any delivery vehicles have been nearby.

Go outside look for the cat and walk around the local area.  Check all roads, just in case there has been an accident. 

If a cat is out of its’ comfort zone, as far as area is concerned, it will hide and probably won’t come to you even if it hears you. Hopefully it will start to follow you home though.

If there is still no sign of your cat then call the local animal shelters, vets, and local authority street cleaning department. They will keep records of when a cat is found after a road traffic accident.  Don’t just phone once, keep in regular contact until your pet is found.

Start knocking on doors and asking all the neighbours to check their gardens, garages, sheds. 

Prepare a small flyer or poster, preferably with a photo on, and a full description of your cat and your contact details. Distribute this to all neighbours, at least 2 / 3 streets away in each direction. It is important to put posters up everywhere – parks, streets, shops, vets, police stations, at rescues. The more posters the better. Social media sites such as Facebook are  effective and free, and a great way to spread the word about your lost cat fast. The more people you ask the more eyes are looking.  

Cats are often most active at night so go to the bottom of your garden late at night and LISTEN. It is surprising how many cats are found this way, locked in sheds and garages etc.  Call and wait, if the cat is within hearing distance you will hopefully hear it calling for help. Try leaving your cats favourite bedding and toys outside. Cats have a very strong sense of smell so this might help them find their way home.

Go out when it is quite late at night, not alone, and take a box of cat biscuits, remember… don’t call for your cat on your way out, only on your way home. Late at night it is usually quiet so there is a better chance of your cat hearing your calls, and you hearing his/her calls back.

Cats sometimes have second homes that you don’t know about and will suddenly appear and wonder what all the fuss is about. You can never assume a cat will just reappear though. Cats get lost every day, once out of their area; they are lost, possibly vulnerable and hungry. 

Please remember that the best, cheapest and most convenient way of ensuring your pet is traceable is to have it micro chipped. When a stray cat is found and taken to any rescue/vet/local authority it will be scanned to see if it is micro chipped. If your cat is micro chipped then you will be contacted immediately and reunited with your friend. Micro chipping only works if the contact details for the micro-chip are correct and up to date. It is your responsibility to make sure the micro-chip company has your up to date details. 

You should also ensure they wear a safety collar with an ID tag on it. Cats appear in peoples’ gardens and often people assume they are a stray, and will keep them or take them to a rescue.  If your cat is identifiable you will be reunited quickly. You should also make sure your cat is neutered, toms will travel for miles and females will go out “calling” to mate (as young as 6 months old).  There are enough unwanted cats in this world as we and all other charities can confirm all too easily.

Most important – NEVER give up.

Sadly, if a rabbit goes missing there are fewer avenues to pursue than with a cat or a dog. It’s unlikely that your rabbit will come running if you stand calling their name in the street, and there are no usual areas away from the house that you can check.

However – that doesn’t mean you should do nothing. There are plenty of the things you would do for a cat or a dog that apply equally to a rabbit, or indeed any other small animal (ferrets and guinea pigs for instance).

Start knocking on doors and asking all the neighbours to check their gardens, garages, sheds.

Leave your gates open so your rabbit has easy access back to his/her home.

Prepare a small flyer or poster, preferably with a photo on, and a full description of your rabbit and your contact details. Distribute this to all neighbours, at least 2 / 3 streets away in each direction. It is important to put posters up everywhere – parks, streets, shops, vets, police stations, at rescues. The more posters the better. Social media sites such as Facebook is effective and free, and a great way to spread the word about your lost rabbit fast.The more people you ask the more eyes are looking

Contact local rescue centres, both independent and the RSPCA,  Don’t just make contact once, do so regularly until your rabbit is found.

Please remember that the best, cheapest and most convenient way of ensuring your pet is traceable is to have it micro-chipped. If a stray rabbit is taken to any vet or rescue centre it will immediately scanned to see if it is micro chipped. If your rabbit is chipped then you will be contacted immediately and reunited with your furry friend. Micro chipping only works if the contact details for the microchip are correct and up to date. It is your responsibility to make sure the microchip company has your up to date details.

Your small animal is just as important as a dog or a cat, and just as dependent upon you to be responsible for it, so don’t give up!