Lost Your Dog - What to Put on Flyers
We have asked our friends for ideas on what to put on flyers, and where to put your flyers, to help find your dog when it becomes lost. These are great ideas that you might want to try:
Where to put flyers
You should post flyers at grocery stores, pet stores, vet offices, and apartment complexes.
Place lots of flyers at places where someone might go to buy dog supplies (Petco, vets, grocers, co-ops, tractor supply, grocery stores, etc.) so that if someone has found your dog and is purchasing that dog the basics, they might see your flyer. it is also helpful if you put tabs on the bottom of the flyer with your phone number on them; this way, people can rip off a tab & take it home with them for future reference should they come across your dog.
If you have school-aged children, have them ask children at their school. Print photos of your dog for your children to show around school. Also, put a flyer near the local school where parents drop off their children and at the school car park.
Post flyers at intersections and around your neighborhood. Place signs within a 2-mile radius of where your pet was lost.Make your automobiles rolling billboards by attaching extra large posters to them. Go on Facebook and other local social groups, email friends, and ask them to help spread the word.
What you should have on your flyer
Don't put your name or address on the flyer, but make sure there is contact info such as a phone number or an email address.
Put a color photo, preferably, and include the date, where the pet was lost, and a couple of distinguishing marks.
Don't include all distinguishing marks; withhold some marks and characteristics so that if someone calls, you can verify that they found your pet by telling you some distinguishing marks.Include the breed of dog or cat, sex, age, weight, and color.
Use bright-colored paper for higher visibility.Give copies of your flier to people that walk their dogs in the area. They're more likely to spot animals than most people.
Other Ideas
Often check your voice mail if you use a home telephone number.
Place an advertisement in the newspaper.
Don't forget to check the "found" listings in your paper.
Check on the Internet. Many dog websites have bulletin boards or forums, which have lost & found areas for lost pets.
Maybe you have moved houses recently. Check at your old address. Let the new owners know and leave them a 'Lost Card.'
If you suspect your dog or puppy has been stolen, you should report it to the police. Also, check the classified ads in your newspaper. Someone who has stolen your dog may be trying to sell it for profit.
Put some food & water outside your house, your dog's bed, or some of your clothing with familiar smells.
Unfortunately, your dog may have been killed by road traffic. Ring your local council or authority to find out who collects dead animals from roads in your area. It's not a pleasant thought to think that your dog is a victim of a road accident, but it is better than not knowing what has happened to him.
I would try to think of anyone out on the road a lot around your area. Contact them.
We suggest speaking to the local postman, the police, the FedEx/ UPS guys - Anyone who is out and about regularly who might see him, hand each one a "lost dog " card or a flyer.
See if they might announce it on a local radio station.
Animals can hear you from very long distances. So bring your pet's favorite things with you, a "squeaky" toy or favorite treats, and rattle them loudly while calling your pet's name. It's also important to stop regularly, be quiet, and listen to see if your pet is making any noise. Sometimes they may make a noise in reply, or they may be hiding somewhere whimpering or barking.
Please recheck with your neighbors. You would be surprised how many people have found their pet a block away several weeks later.
