What to do if your dog is lost?
In the UK dogs have unrestricted access to a large number of public spaces with lots of opportunities to get lost. Prevention should be your fist course of action but hindsight is a wonderful thing so you also need an action plan if the worst happens.
Prevention
Dog disk
Get an old fashioned engraved disk for your dog’s collar. Have your mobile number on it since if you are out looking for your dog that’s the number you want people to call. An identification disk is currently a legal requirement in the UK.
Microchip
Get your dog microchipped. Dogs that find their way into rescue centres, local authorities dog wardens, vets surgeries etc will be scanned straight away. Just make sure that the microchip company has your up-to-date mobile number. It will be a legal requirement in the UK to have your dog microchipped from 6/4/2016.
Mug shot
Have an up-to-date photo of your dog in case the worst happens.
Training
A dog that does not come back when called is most likely to get lost! Recall training is one of the most common behaviour problems Rainbow Dogs deal with so please contact us if you need help with recall training in Brighton, Worthing or further afield in Sussex:
Fencing
You should not trust your fencing to be secure enough to leave a dog outside unsupervised. Dogs can jump, climb or dig under fencing to get free.
Fireworks
Rescue centres fill up with lost dogs after Guy Fawkes Night so be extra vigilant.
Looking for Your Dog
First stay put
Dogs will use their sense of smell to try to find you so
stay close to where you lost your dog initially and call him, whistle or squeak
his toy.
Enlist help
Search further afield enlisting the help of friends and
family to check the local area.
Act fast!
Local authorities have a legal responsibility to keep
your dog for only 7 days, after which time he can be put to sleep!
Make that call
Contact your local authority dog warden to report the
time and place he was lost along with as detailed a description as possible.
You dog may travel a great distance; they have been known
to hop on trains before, so also contact dog wardens in neighbouring areas.
Contact local rescue centres e.g. Dogs Trust in Shoreham, RSPCA in Brighton.
Contact other rescue centres further afield e.g. Blue
Cross, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Contact local vet surgeries.
The web
Search online for lost dog websites. Register on as many websites as
possible. Uploading a picture will
increase your chances of finding your dog.
Get social
Post on social media with a picture of your dog. Facebook and Twitter have different groups
for lost dogs.
Walk the walk
Print posters with a picture of your dog and your contact
details. Start in the location where you
lost him and then fan out from there.
Visit rescue centres
Visit your local rescue centre if they take in strays to
check if they have your dog. Give then
one of your posters.
Don’t give up
Lost dogs are sometimes found months after becoming lost!
