Italian Greyhound Place

Post BIG flyers – large, visible, and un-cluttered

• Use large Fluorescent Poster Board
• Position the poster board vertically and, using a broad-tipped permanent marker, print “Call if Seen” across the top in large letters.  Across the bottom of the poster board, print “REWARD!”
• Using a computer, create and print 8 ½ x 11 inch, vertical flyers – one of these will go in the center of each poster board. Put the dog’s description at the top using the largest font possible in one, or at most two, lines i.e. Italian Greyhound (or Min. Greyhound so that people know that the dog is small). Next, add a color photograph of your dog, and, under the photograph, put a contact number i.e. 000-000-0000, using the largest font possible in one line of text.
• Using clear packing tape, attach the 8 ½ x 11 inch flyer to the center of the poster board with a series of horizontal tape strips that cover and protect the flyer.  Alternatively, the flyer can be inserted into a clear sleeve such as those used with three-ring binders and then attached to the poster board.
• Use packing tape or duct tape to attach the posters to telephone poles, signs, etc., being sure to post them at busy street corners and main intersections.

Post smaller flyers - visible and un-cluttered

Using a computer, create and print 8 1/2 x 11 inch vertical flyers. Put "Call if Seen" at the top on one line using the largest font possible. Next, add a color photograph of the dog and, under the photograph, put a contact number - use the largest font possible in one line of text. Put "REWARD!" beneath the contact number, also in the largest font possible. Insert flyers to be used outside into clear sleeves, as described above; this will prevent curling and protect them.

These flyers can be used to supplement the larger posters along roads, and can be:

• Hung at locations such as supermarkets, entrances to developments or housing complexes, community bulletin boards, petshops/groomers, and other locations that people frequent
• Given to personnel at establishments such as veterinarian clinics, animal shelters, and police departments - do not overlook animal control officers
• Given to individuals such as mail carriers, delivery drivers with UPS and Fed Ex, newspaper deliverers, crossing guards, and bus drivers
• Put at the door of residents in the area of the lost dog*
• Given to individuals willing to assist in posting the flyers

*Alternatively, a specific flyer could be made for this purpose that requests that owners search areas of their property where a dog could possibly be hiding

Visit area animal shelters

It is best to actually visit these facilities and, while the dog is lost, to do so every few days if possible. While there, provide them with some small flyers so that they will have a photograph of the dog, but ask to view the dogs at the facility, including those dogs in an infirmary or quarantined area. Don't count on a staff member to know if your dog is there, or to recognize the dog as yours.

Contact breed specific and other rescue groups

The volunteers involved with these groups would likely be willing to spread the word regarding the missing dog, often learn about found dogs, and, if the dog were to enter into the care of their group,  would know to notify you. Be sure to provide them with a photograph of the dog.

Use resources such as  AnimalShelter.org and Petfinder's shelter search feature to locate shelters and rescue groups in the area of the lost dog

Visit law enforcement, veterinarian, grooming and other such facilities

When there, leave small flyers and request that staff be made aware of the missing dog. At the dog-related facilities, discuss with them that the dog could be brought to their location as a "found" dog or as someone's "pet." 

Continue to canvas the area for the lost dog and solicit help from others in doing so

Check posters and flyers and replace when necessary 

No Current Lost Dog?

If you are not currently searching for a lost dog, consider preparing materials and choosing any resources that you would use if your dog were ever to become lost. Of course, what you want to do is prevent the occurrence.

Post on, and check, lost and found pet sites

FidoFinder

K9Alert 

Lost and Pound

PetFinder (classified section)

Craigslist (post and search in the community section under pets and also under lost+found)

aKeKee

K9AmberAlert Yahoo Group

Poster, Phone, and Postcard Alerts (paid services)

PetAmberAlert - choose from poster alerts, phone alerts, or both

FindToto - phone alerts

Lost Pet Cards - postcard mailing alerts

If you utilize a phone alert service, request that the message ask people to search their property for the missing dog

Radio and Television

Contact local radio and television stations and request that they assist in notifying the pubic about your missing dog; they will sometimes do this as a free service.

Newspaper Ads

Place a lost dog ad in local newspapers and, if possible, include a photograph. Although generally not free, some newspapers will offer a discounted rate for lost dog ads. Also, read the found dog listings.

Write on Your Car with Window Markers

By using fluorescent window markers, you can use your car and cars belonging to friends to spread the word about the missing dog. Missing Pet Partnership recommends the NEOMarkers in a 1/2 inch broad tip and finds it best to use four colors to make it easier for viewers to read. In addition to writing on the back window of the car, attach a photograph of the dog (facing outward) to the inside of the back window, or place the photograph in a clear sleeve and tape it to the outside of the window.

Humane Traps

If the dog has been sighted in an area, but is not approaching close enough to anyone to be "caught," consider using a humane trap such as HavAHart. To make it more likely that the dog will feel comfortable entering it, a towel or blanket can be put inside, and another can be draped over it. Use "smelly" food in the trap to attract the dog.

Pet Detectives

Pet detectives provide fee-based, professional services that generally utilize law-enforcement investigative techniques as well as  dogs trained in scent trailing to locate missing dogs. These services can be located through internet searches, and there is a national directory of MAR (Missing Animal Response) certified technicians maintained by Missing Pet Partnership.

Dogs for adoption or for sale

Check listings for available dogs; your dog might be found by someone who misses your lost dog publiciity and decides to rehome the dog, or surrenders the dog to a shelter/rescue group that is not aware of your lost dog.