What to Do If Your Dog Is Lost
Last updated: 3 August 2025
Step 1: Search the Immediate Area
Start by thoroughly checking your local area. Call your dog’s name, shake a treat bag, and bring a familiar toy or item with their scent. Dogs often hide nearby or return to familiar places. Ask neighbours if they’ve seen anything and check gardens, sheds, and garages.
Step 2: Notify Local Authorities and Vets
Contact your local dog warden (via your council), nearby vets, and animal rescue centres. Provide a clear description, including your dog’s name, breed, colour, size, microchip number, and any distinguishing features. Dogs picked up by wardens are usually taken to a contracted kennel and held for 7 days.
Step 3: Report to Microchip Database
If your dog is microchipped, immediately report them as missing to your chip provider (such as Petlog, Animal Tracker, or Identibase). This flags them in the system and ensures you’ll be contacted if they’re scanned by a vet, rescue centre, or warden.
Step 4: Register with Lost Pet Websites
List your dog as missing on major UK lost pet databases:
These sites alert local volunteers and send updates to shelters and vets in your area.
Step 5: Create and Distribute Posters
Make clear, eye-catching posters with a recent photo, your contact details, and the location where your dog went missing. Place them around your neighbourhood, parks, shops, vet clinics, and bus stops. Keep text bold and simple — e.g., "LOST DOG – REWARD OFFERED – CALL [Your Number]".
Step 6: Use Social Media and Local Groups
Post in local Facebook groups, community pages, and pet forums. Include photos, last seen details, and contact information. Share your post across as many platforms as possible and ask friends to do the same. Some areas also have dedicated lost dog WhatsApp or Telegram groups.
Step 7: Keep Checking Shelters and Online Listings
Visit local kennels and rescue centres in person if possible. Continue checking online classified sites like Gumtree and Pets4Homes, as lost or stolen dogs may be listed for sale. Be cautious if someone contacts you demanding money — some scammers exploit missing pet situations.
What If You Suspect Theft?
If you believe your dog has been stolen, report it to the police immediately and get a crime reference number. Provide microchip details and any potential leads. Stolen dogs may be moved far from home, so expand your search and keep checking lost dog databases.