How do you go about finding a missing dog?

Question

Our beloved labrador retriever was stolen from our yard and I have to find him. I plan on taking out ads and making posters and posting a large sign in our yard asking for his safe return. Do you think this will tug at the heart strings of the people that took him? I know people love their pets but Trevor was a very special part of this family and I feel like someone stole my child. What else can I do?

Trevor didn't run away. After you have had an animal for 9 years you get to know their ways and it was something that was not in his character. He was a very smart dog, well behaved in all aspects. He was like another one of our children, treated just the same. In the 9 years that we have owned him he has never left our yard. So to those of you that want to assume that he ran away don't bother leaving your comments. They are disregarded just as you disregard the feelings of a bereaving family.

Thank-you to everyone that offered advice. I have really taken it to heart and will continue to pursue this until I find him. I can't pick a best answer because all the advice is so good so I am leaving it up to the audience. If you would like to read more about Trevor and see a picture you can check out my 360 page at http://360.yahoo.com/jeezmeneti66. Just copy and paste cause I couldn't figure out how to make it a link. Thanks again for all yout help.

Answer 1

Call all your local shelters definitely...also is your dog chipped? That would be a good way to find him. If animal control picks it up, they will scan for a chip. Also posters are a good idea, post them in pet stores, vet clinics, grocery stores and maybe even the shelters...
I hope you find him.
Also, when you do find him, go through your yard (where ever he escaped from) and make sure it is SECURE. If you can't secure the yard, then make sure you don't leave your dog alone outside, or this might happen again.

Answer 2

Make flyers put them at groomers, vets, pet stores, anywhere pet owners would go. Also fill out a lost dog report at all the local shelters. Not to mention most people do not think of this but since your dog was stolen, there is a chance the people stole him to sell him for money..horrible but true. Check your local Craigslist in the pets, free and general section to see if anyone is posting your beloved dog for money. Also, ask for a reward this can help. And, check your local newspaper also. There is a family in the area i live in and their dog was stolen. They even got on the news and have posted ads EVERYWHERE. Plus, remember, if someone dumped your dog dogs can travel 25+ miles per day, so do not limit your search to just your town. I am so sorry this happened to you and I hope your dog gets returned to you, I have always had labs and know how it is to loose them. Also, check anywhere that is park-like or has a creek and is away from traffic, our dog was missing for 5 days and we finally found him grange area that had a creek and was away from people and traffic. If we hadn't looked we probably would not have found him. It was over 10 miles from our house. Good luck and do not give up!

Answer 3

Don't give up hope. Go ahead with all of the plans you have already. Nothing else comes to mind as to what else you could possibly do, maybe check your local shelters etc., just in case. Unfortunately, you have to think that whoever did steal him (if he was stolen) does not have much of a heart to begin with if they would steal a family dog. Who from what you have said seems like he was VERY WELL KEPT and loved and I'm sure it showed. I pray you find him soon and safe and sound. Take Care

Answer 4

I know you don't want to hear it but have you thought maybe he spotted a cat or a rabbit and chased it?
These dogs can cover alot of ground so do not limit your search to your immediate neighborhood.
Call every shelter or pound within 30 miles of your home.Also call every vet within the same area.Post the dogs picture and your contact info in all vet offices.
Put an ad in every paper that covers your area.
Offer a reward.
Also put up fliers in every laundromat,grocery store,and pet store within the same area.
Question your neighbors.All of them within 2 blocks of your home.Someone saw something that may be useful.And call the police to keep an eye out for a hurt or dead animal.

Answer 5

I really hope you find your dog, whether he was stolen or ran away I hope you get him back, I'd offer a reward for his safe return, if he was stolen, that may be incentive to bring him back. If you get him back, I suggest you go online and go to www.getmehome.com, and request one of their dog tags, there's a number on it that while your dog is wearing it, the person who finds him can enter the number on the tag into the 'found dog' area on the site, and your information will come up as to how they can contact you and bring him home. Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 6

I'm SO sorry. This happened to me once. My husband & I have a place down at the coast, and our teacup poodle jumped out of the truck and got lost. He was mentally disturbed, partially blind, and scared to death of men! What I did was post a letter to their local newspaper stating the circumstances. The community got together and helped in ways you wouldn't believe. I had two dogs at the time, the teacup, and a Lhasa Apso. The Lhasa wound up rescuing the poodle. He wouldn't let a human get near him, but he recognized the Lhasa, and then me. Unfortunately, one month to the day past his rescue, he was killed. We took off three days mourning his death. My heart goes out to you. Best of luck getting your baby back. Don't give up!!!!

Answer 7

If you get the dog back,or ever get another,have your vet,Humane Soc. or some other source implant a "chip" in him or her.Many places have a reader that can check the dog for owner information and bring about a return.

Answer 8

I think maybe you should report this to the police or someone, because that is stealing. I feel very bad for you. I don't know if all areas have animal police, I would check your area. I am terribly sorry.

Answer 9

i once new a dog that was stolen from a yard by neighbors that didn't like the dog.He was dropped miles from home. check the lost and found ads, and also animal control.

Answer 10

im not sure if this will help.

make a trip to SPCA, and see if they have gotten your dog.

and..

there was a saying that dogs are very wise animals. and once they get attached to a family, they will run away when they are dying. dogs sort of knew when they are leaving this world.