More dogs go missing on the 4th of July than on any other day of the year.  Dogs do not enjoy fireworks, nor do they understand it is a celebration.  While most dog owners are vigilant at home protecting their dogs from getting lost, it is easy for even the most dedicated helicopter dog parents to get distracted and to lose sight of their dogs for just a moment while on vacation.  Add to that a dog’s innate fear of fireworks combined with the confusion of a new place, and that is a recipe for heartache.  The following tips are from the volunteer organization Maine Lost Dog Recovery on what to do if your dog goes missing while on vacation in Maine.

What to do if your dog is lost in Maine:

1. Leave something out that smells like home as soon as your dog goes missing.  This could be a dirty t-shirt, a favorite toy, or blanket.  Set up a food station where your dog was last seen with favorite treats, hot dogs, and smelly food that would attract your dog.  Also put out water.

2. Most dogs are frightened and go into survival mode when lost.  Instruct everyone that is helping DO NOT CALL THE DOG and DO NOT CHASE THE DOG.  This could cause him to panic and run.  This includes you!  When frightened many dogs don’t even recognize their owner’s voice.  If your dog is seen, sit or lay down, speak softly, avoid direct eye contact, and gently toss out treats to the side of the dog to lure your dog in to you.  On the Maine Lost Dog Recovery Facebook page, you can find a Calming Signals video by Missing Pet Partnership that will help you safely attract and capture a lost dog.  Remember get low or lay flat, speak softly, avoid direct eye contact and give your dog time to recognize a familiar voice and smell.

3. Contact the local and surrounding areas Animal Control Officers, Animal Shelters, and Veterinary Offices.  If you are unfamiliar with the area, in the state of Maine you can find on Maine.gov Animal Control Officers listed by town with contact information, and Planet Dog has a useful list of Animal Shelters in Maine.  Please note that this information is not always up to date.  Contact the local Police Department (nonemergency line) or Town Hall for additional help.

4. Contact the volunteers at Maine Lost Dog Recovery directly on Facebook or by email at mainelostdogrecovery@gmail.com.  On the Maine Lost Dog Recovery Facebook page you will find an App to Report A Lost Dog.  You will be asked to fill out the form and submit a recent photo of your missing dog, preferably a full body photo.

5. Maine Lost Dog Recovery will help to produce a flyer that they will post on their website.  You can print and distribute that flyer.  Be prepared to hang 150-300 in the immediate 3 to 5 mile radius to help generate realtime sightings.  While you have the flyers printed, be sure to pick up clear plastic sleeves and a heavy duty stapler.  Flyers should be hung on high traffic roads, on alternating street sides, and intersections where people have to stop.  Flyers may also be hung at community centers, stores, and vet offices, but always ask permission first.

6. Even though posting on social media can be helpful, IT IS NOT ENOUGH, especially when you are on vacation.  Not everyone has access to it, can contact you through it, or will be looking at Facebook during the fireworks.  Contact the local Animal Control Officers, Police Departments, and Shelters.  Also don’t suspend your independent efforts once you contacted agencies for help.  No one knows your dog better than you.  Your dog needs your help in getting home.

7. Assign someone to be the point person to monitor realtime sightings on Facebook and calls, and to help focus the search effort; while the owner and close family members that the dog is familiar with walk the area where the pup was last seen.  Remember DO NOT CHASE. Get low or lay flat, speak softly, avoid direct eye contact and give your dog time to recognize a familiar voice and smell, to have the approach you.

8. Be patient. Don’t give up.  If in a crowded area, the dog may wait for things to calm down before emerging from a hiding place.  Some dogs are found quickly, but it could also take days, weeks or months.  During that time keep in contact with the local Animal Shelters, Animal Control Officers, and Veterinary Offices by personally visiting, sharing photos and lost dog flyers.

9. When your dog is found, please remember to take down the flyers; and notify everyone who is helping with search that your dog is home safe including Maine Lost Dog Recovery, Animal Control Officers, and Animal Shelters.

What to do if you FIND a lost dog WITHOUT ID TAGS in Maine: 

1. Take all possible measures to keep the found dog contained and safe.  Do NOT take the dog out of the area from where it was found.

2. Contact the local Animal Control Officer and Animal Shelters.  If you are unfamiliar with the area, in the state of Maine you can find on maine.gov Animal Control Officers listed by town, and Planet Dog has a useful list of Animal Shelters in Maine.  Please note that this information is not always up to date.  Contact the local Police Department (nonemergency number) or Town Hall for additional help.

3. Contact Maine Lost Dog Recovery directly on Facebook or by email at mainelostdogrecovery@gmail.com.  On the Maine Lost Dog Recovery Facebook page you will find an App to Report A Found Dog.  Complete the form and submit a full body photo of the dog.  They will post found dogs with an official agency telephone number rather than a personal one.  This is for security purposes, both for the dog and the finder.

4. Even though posting on social media can be helpful, IT IS NOT ENOUGH, especially when you are on vacation.  Not everyone has access to, can contact you, or will be looking at your Facebook page. Contact the local Animal Control Officer, Police Departments, and Shelters.

Precautionary measures to take BEFORE heading off on vacation with your dog:  

1. Check that collars are in good condition and tags are firmly attached with owner’s contact name and current cell phone number.  Remember: Landline home phone numbers are not helpful when away on vacation.

2. If your dog is microchipped, make sure the microchip is up to date with owner’s name, address, and cell phone number.

3. Keep a good full body photo of your dog with you, in case he does go missing.

4. Know the contact information for the Animal Control Officer where you are staying, as well as Police Department (nonemergency number) and area Animal Shelters.

5. Know the contact information of the local Veterinarian Offices, not only if your dog goes missing but in the event he gets injured while on vacation.

6. Keep your dog on a leash.  Most of Maine has a leash law and that is the surest way to keep an eye on your dog.  When vacationing do not assume that your dog will behave or respond to you in the same way he does at home.  A dog with the best recall at the local dog park, may not be as responsive when in a new environment.

7. Secure your dog in a safe place on the 4th of July and during any event if you know there will be fireworks.  There is no need for your dog to attend such events.  Keep them indoors with plenty of “white noise” such as TV, radio, or air conditioner to help block the scary sounds.  Even the most relaxed dog, can suddenly react differently to fireworks when in an unfamiliar location or situation.

Important Links for Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts Lost Dog Organizations:

Maine: Maine Lost Dog Recovery

New Hampshire: Granite State Dog Recovery

Massachusetts: Missing Dogs Massachusetts

And remember to keep an eye on Cats too!  Maine Lost Cat Recovery

Thank you Morgan Miles, a volunteer with Maine Lost Dog Recovery, for answering my questions for this article!  Also THANK YOU to all the volunteers and Facebook followers of Maine Lost Dog Recovery for your dedication and help in reuniting lost dogs!