This is a huge post but contains such important and helpful information!!! And since Riley B decided to dig out under the chain link fence TWICE in the last two weeks – AHHHH the scents of summer and quarantine fever have taken over !! I thought it was a grand time to repost this information!!
I saw a post on the #lifewithmyrescued coonhound page that just screamed “SHARE ON THE BLOG ” !!! This is invaluable information from the Montgomery County Lost Pets page in Maryland and shared by Meghan Connolly. EVERYONE needs this information for finding a lost dog, but coonies are notorious for following that nose into “a galaxy far far away”. So here goes !
1) Put something with your scent outside, like unwashed shirts and socks. If possible hang socks on a tree branch or somewhere the wind can carry your scent. Leave water and a can of fishy cat food or tuna or smelly dog food /treats.
2)File a lost report with animal control and microchip company if chipped
3)Post to Pawboost.com www.pawboost.com (you do not have to pay for this, they will post to Facebook and send alerts for free), NextDoor.com, helping lost pets.com/PET, Petharbor.com, Craigslist lost and found and pet sections, other lost and found pet groups/Facebook, neighborhood/community groups, yard sale sites for your area, etc. As time allows check these places for “found” posts as well as Pet for Sale ads or recruit someone to check for you. Consider using Find Toto robocalls at findtoto.com. Other sites include lostmydoggie.com, or your local chapter of the ASPCA.
4)Put up fliers in at least a 2-3 mile radius. Make sure the type is large enough to read from the road. Place plastic page protectors with the opening at the bottom sealed with clear tape to protect from rain. Secure with tacks/staples and clear packing tape if using color fliers or florescent tape if black and white. Remember not everyone uses Facebook!! Make sure to give the flier to your mail carrier.
5)Mount a large, clear full body photo on bright poster board and handwrite LOST ! REWARD! and your phone number in large print that is visible from a car. Place at intersections. You can cover with cellophane to protect from rain. Home Depot and Lowes sell blank signs with stands and you can mount bright poster board to these, or use old election signs. Make a two sided sign by taping two large posters back to back at the top and sides, slip over the sign, then secure with tape at the bottom. If possible put a 2 sided sign in your front yard.
6)Consider using a pet tracker, such as Dogs Finding Dogs, Finding Dogs, or Pure Gold. Bag up items with your dog’s scent (blanket, bed, brush, toys) to preserve scent for the tracking dog.
7)Check shelters in person every other day if possible. This is imperative. Do not dismiss dogs posted based on the photo alone ( or collar etc). Shelters DO make mistakes on intake and photos can be VERY deceiving. Shelter staff is many times over stretched and underfunded so mistakes happen. (not finding fault – just stating a fact) Finders sometimes change collars or put a collar on a found dog not already wearing one.
8)If practical walk your neighborhood, speak to your neighbors and hand out fliers.
Note position of hounds in relation to human. Commonly referred to as scent deafness or “on a mission”.
#thefamilycoonhound
The company that has the microchip for my precious Riley B is 24PetWatch. They were super helpful and friendly each time I talked with them while going through the registration process. www.24petwatch.com