10 Sep Second Chance: Finding a Lost Dog!
Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The facility is located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. View shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org..
Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432.
The following Pet Column is from the Canine Behavior Library, where Second Chance shares tips for common training challenges.
Go here for more about Second Chance.
Second Chance follows social media groups throughout our region. Not a day goes by without someone posting that they’ve lost a beloved dog. Most of the time, the dog is found and home within hours, but there are a few who have been missing for weeks. This Pet Column shares our experiences and tips for recovering a lost dog.
If your dog has gone missing, what do you do? More importantly, what do you NOT do?
Accidents happen. Pulling free, slipping their collar, getting through an open door or gate, jumping a fence, or jumping from a vehicle are the most common ways dogs go missing. Some dogs are lost because of owner negligence. One rescue group estimates that 35% of lost dogs have been allowed to roam free and don’t return home.
Over 70% of dogs are lost by their family. Less than 5% are lost by a rescue or shelter. Most lost dogs are returned to their home. A small number of dogs are never found, and unfortunately, some are found deceased.
When a dog escapes, they often go into survival mode where everyone and everything is a predator to them – even YOU! This is especially true of dogs that are nervous or new to a home. Dogs that have been adopted from a shelter often fall into this category because they have either been surrendered and lost their home or have already spent time as a stray without a home. They will run when called or if someone tries to catch them. They usually seek a quiet and safe place, often a wooded area.
Let’s start with what NOT to do.
Don’t assume your dog will come to you. Don’t chase a lost dog, yell, whistle, or call out to a lost dog. Once they seem to have settled into a safe area, do not drive them out. Don’t do large group sweeps/searches.
Even if the dog has been missing for days, don’t let your friends/family discourage you with statements like: “It was just a dog, time to move on.” Most importantly, don’t give up!
If possible, start a ground or car search in immediate areas in the first hour. Put out scent articles, and food/water at the point of flight (and in the safe area when that is established).
Share the news of your lost dog- you need sightings to narrow down the area where he/she has been. Be sure to notify police, shelters, veterinarians, and your neighbors. Be explicit about not chasing or calling your dog, but have people call/text/email with sightings. Keep a log of information and map out locations where the dog has been spotted. We don’t recommend sharing these publicly as people may want to be a hero and end up chasing the dog out of the safe zone.
Social media is a great tool. Use Facebook, Nextdoor, etc. Old-fashioned media is important too – place large signs at intersections and flyers with a recent photo of your dog around the area where they went missing. This is the #1 way to get your dog back!
While searching, bring high-value treats (think hot dogs, cheese, liverwurst) in a loud bag, and bring two leashes/slip leads. Bring their favorite squeaky toy or ball and a “magnet dog” (his best dog friend) with you. If comfortable, bring a child that is good with dogs, especially if the dog likes kids.
If you see your dog, sit down, and do not make eye contact. Speak softly and be calm, avoiding quick movements. Start tossing small treats around you, and pretend you are eating from the treat bag. Let the dog approach you at their own pace, and don’t be too quick to grab/leash them (let them have their “aha” moment). Be Patient!
We’ve had success recovering lost dogs with a live trap in their “safe area.” These are like a wire kennel, but have a door that shuts behind them when they enter to get the food inside.
All pets should have identification on them at all times. Even if they’re indoor-only, escapes happen. We recommend a collar and tag or a collar with the pet’s name and phone number permanently sewn into it. All dogs and cats should be microchipped, which is a great backup to a tag. Microchips require chip readers, so if you find a dog with no visible ID, you can ask a vet or shelter to scan the dog for a microchip.
If you lose a dog or cat, we are happy to post to our social media. We do the same for any pets who are found and brought into our shelter.
Tugboat
Tugboat is an 8-month-old heeler mix who was found in Ridgway. We posted to social media and shared to local groups, but no one came to claim this sweet puppy. He has now been neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated – and is ready for his forever home.
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