My Dog is Lost! What should I Do Now... by Moses Chia

Your dog is lost. You are worried and clueless on how to get started to bring your lost dog home. Follow these tips here and I'm sure it will increase your chances of finding your lost dog.

1. Make sure that your dog is actually lost - Search your house and back yard completely first. Your dog might just be too distracted by his new found toy in the yard.

2. Search around your neighborhood. Most dogs don't usually wander off far from their house.

3. Use your voice - Call out his name when finding your lost dog. It is a more useful searching tool than your eyes. Dogs can hear a lot better than we do and the distance from which dogs can hear things is four times further than man.

4. Ask around during the search - Talk to people especially people walking their dog, because they are the group to be most concern and take notice with a wandering dog.

5. Alert your neighbors and people in your neighborhood that your dog is missing. You can put up poster at eye level and in areas where people frequent. You can also E-mail your friends to keep a "lookout" for your dog.

6. Put up or distribute useful information. A poster with a large "Lost Dog" and "Reward" heading might be most eyes catching. Also remember to include your dog's name, breed, color, distinct features (if any) and ways to contact you like your phone number.

7. Call local shelters and pet related places within a 100 miles radius of your house. Leave your contactable number with them so that they can reach you if your dog turns up. Visit these places if possible to pass them a poster of your lost dog so that it can reach out to more people.

8. Post lost dog ads on the internet - With the ever increase use of the net. A lot of people have found their pets through this avenue. You can start off with FidoFinder.com and TerrificPets.com. Find more lost pet ads posting site on the search engine - Key in 'find lost dog' or 'lost dog ads'.

9. Beware of money scams. There are people who are out to cheat you out of your money. Knowing that you are worried, it's easy for these people to take advantage of you in many different ways. Think logically and ask for advice if necessary before you give someone money to return your dog.

10. Don't give up easily. Dogs have been known to find their way back home after being lost for several months. Your dog might be just one of them!

Before you lost your beloved dog, it's good to take measures to ensure that YOU can be located if your lost dog is found - An ID dog tag would usually be the most efficient and important form of ID for your dog.