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 protecting our dogs from getting lost, it is easy for even the most dedicated helicopter dog parents to get distracted and lose sight of our dogs for just a moment.  This especially holds true when 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 are tips on what to do if your dog goes missing, and steps you can take to prevent it.

Important advice about the 4th of July and other events with fireworks: 

Secure your dog in a safe location on the 4th of July and during other events where fireworks will be present.  There is no need for your dog to attend such celebrations.  Keep them indoors and safe 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.

Also be aware that neighbors may be setting off personal fireworks without warning.  Even if your yard is fenced, when taking a dog outside in the evening keep them leashed.  Even the most obedient dogs can get startled by the sudden unfamiliar sounds, and run.  When frightened some dogs don’t even recognize or come to the voice of their owner.

Precautionary measures to take BEFORE the 4th of July:   

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 from home.

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 recent full body photo of your dog with you in case he does go missing.  Also take a recent photo of you with your dog in case you need proof identifying he is yours when found.

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

5. Know the contact information of the local animal hospitals, not only if your dog goes missing but in the event he gets injured while on vacation or away from home.

6. Keep your dog on a leash.  Most of communities have 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.

What to do if your dog is LOST:

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 will 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.  You can find a list of Animal Control Officers by town and with contact information at Maine.gov and Mass.gov (Click on PDF file for Massachusetts list).  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 volunteer organizations to help.  Many states have lost dog recovery volunteer programs, including Maine Lost Dog Recovery (lost dog form), Granite State Dog Recovery (lost dog form), and Missing Dogs Massachusetts (lost dog form). On these Facebook sites you will find links to forms on their websites for reporting a lost dog.  You will be asked to fill out the form with as much information as possible, and submit a recent photo of your missing dog, preferably a full body photo.

5. These volunteer organizations will help to produce a flyer that they will post on their Facebook pages, as well as other social media sites that they may use.  You are responsible for printing and distributing that flyer in the area your dog went missing.  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, post offices, and animal hospitals, 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, will be in the area where the dog is lost, or will be looking at Facebook during the fireworks.  Contact the local Animal Control Officers, Police Departments, and Animal 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.  At the same time have 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 him 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 volunteer dog recovery groups, Animal Control Officers, and animal shelters.

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

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 (it is required by law in most states) and animal shelters.  You can find a list of Animal Control Officers by town and with contact information at Maine.gov and Mass.gov (Click on PDF file for Massachusetts list).  Please note that this information is not always up to date.  Contact the local Police Department (nonemergency line) or Town Hall for additional help.  When contacting these agencies ask if they can do a full body scan with a Universal scanner to search for microchip with contact information.

3. Contact volunteer organizations to help.  Many states have lost dog recovery volunteer programs, including Maine Lost Dog Recovery (found dog form), Granite State Dog Recovery (found dog form), and Missing Dogs Massachusetts (found dog form). On these Facebook sites you will find links to forms for reporting a found dog.  You will be asked to fill out the form with as much information as possible, and submit a photo of the found dog, preferably a full body photo.

4. Even though posting on social media can be helpful, IT IS NOT ENOUGH, especially if you are on vacation.  Not everyone has access to, can contact you, will be in the area, or will be looking at your Facebook page.  Please print and post the found dog flyers created by the volunteer organization, and do internet searches for possible postings by the dog’s family.  This includes searching Craig’s List and local newspapers.

5. Please do not assume the dog is neglected based on it’s appearance.  A dog that has been missing, especially for a long period of time, can quickly become dirty, matted and thin.  Also when reuniting a lost dog with it’s owner, please ask for some proof such as a photo.

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 Lost Dog Recovery groups for your dedication and help in reuniting lost dogs with their families!