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It is extremely stressful and traumatic for both you and your dog, so we have put together a list of things you should do to prevent losing your dog and what steps to take, if you do lose your dog or it goes missing.

What to Do If Your Dog is Lost or goes Missing

A yearly event running over four days and is a Crufts Qualifying Show run under the Kennel Club rules and regulations with both national and international entrants.

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We are sharing our simple top tips on how to look after your dog in the heat.

Top Tips to Keep your Dog Cool in the Summer Heat

The number of dogs reported stolen was 2,760 in 2021, which is about 8 dogs a day. This figure has decreased slightly to 2,170 for 2023, mainly thought to be due to the cost of living crisis, which means fewer people can afford to keep pets. [1]

The number of lost dogs varies and many are not reported as the lost dog is normally found or returns itself within a couple of hours.

No matter the figures, losing your dog is extremely stressful and traumatic for both you and your dog, so The DoggyLush Team have put together a list of things you should do to prevent losing your dog and what steps to take, if you do lose your dog or it goes missing.

How to Prevent your Dog from Getting Lost

It is important to build a loving bond, between you and your dog, which ensures it always returns to you, when you call it back. This can be done via positive reinforcement, such as giving your dog a treat every time it returns to you and also praising it. Ideally do this as puppy training, if you have your dog from puppy, but it is never too late to start this training.

Many dogs simply slip out of their collar, when they really want to chase after something. So checking your dogs collar is tight but not too tight, should be done every time you go for a walk.

Microchipping in dogs is compulsory in England, Scotland and Wales and this is normally done by the breeder at 8 weeks and the breeder should give you the details of which database your dogs microchip is registered on. When your dog has its annual Vet check up or before you go on holiday, get your vet to check, that the microchip can still be read ok. The microchip should be functional throughout your dogs lifespan. [2]

Regularly Check your Dogs Microchip Details

Also check that the microchip details for your dog are correct and up to date, such as contact numbers and your address.

Unfortunately there is no single point of access to all the microchip databases in the UK.  Currently there are about 21 such databases, so you will need to know which database your dog is registered with.

Examples include PETLOG, which is a microchipping database run by The Kennel Club in association with the RSPCA and SSPCA.  

If you suspect your dog has been stolen, you should act straight away.

If you have any door cameras like Ring, check to see if you have caught any suspicious activities on your camera. Also ask your neighbours for any footage.

Call your dogs microchip database to check your dog is registered correctly and update the database that it has been lost or stolen. This will help reunite you with your dog, if your dog is taken to a vet and the vet checks its microchip.

‘Fern’s Law’ is currently being considered to be put into law, so that each time a dog is taken to the vet, its microchip should be checked by the vet.

Post its photo on social media, both to friends and local lost dogs groups. This is a very powerful and instant way of reaching many people in the local areas and the more eyes looking for your lost dog, the better. Type: “missing dog” and your town’s name, for example “missing dog guildford surrey” to find your local lost dogs/pets facebook group.

Check on Social Media if your Dog has been Found

Search social media for posts on found dogs using your dogs breed or identifying features such as ‘black springer spaniel found’.

DogLost is a national community of thousands of dog owners and volunteers, helping to reunite lost dogs with their owners. It's FREE to join - then you'll be able to register lost and found dogs, helping to reunite them with their owners.

Report your Missing Dog to Local Authorities: 

Report it lost to the local dog warden, so they can look out for it. [3]

Report it lost to the local dog rescue centres  and kennels. 

Report it lost to the local vet surgeries and animal hospitals.

If you are in no doubt, that your dog has been stolen, then report it to the police, as it is a criminal offence.

Get pet detectives involved, although it is early days they will know, which actions to take whilst the trail is still hot. They will guide you on the next steps to take, such as putting up lost posters and so on.

What to do if you come across a Stray Dog

If you come across a dog, which you think is lost, approach it with caution. This will be a very stressful situation for the dog and it might therefore act aggressively.

Don’t approach it on your own. Make sure you have backup in case you get bitten.

Do not approach the dog if it displays any signs of aggression. Call the local dog warden instead and stay with or close to the dog, until the dog warden arrives

If you can approach it safely, check it’s ID details

If the dog is friendly but does not have any ID on it, take it to a local vet or dog warden to have its microchip checked and hopefully be reunited with its owner quickly.

[1]	DirectLine Insurance, 2021
[2]	https://www.gov.uk/government/news/compulsory-dog-microchipping-comes-into-effect
[3] https://www.gov.uk/check-council-missing-dog


CONTENTS

How to Prevent your Dog from Getting Lost

Build a Loving Bond

Regularly Check your Dogs Collar

Ensure your Dog is Microchipped

Regularly Check your Dogs Microchip Details

What to do if your Dog is Lost or Stolen

Check any Security Camera Footage

Contact your dogs Microchip Database

Post on Social Media

Check on Social Media if your Dog has been Found

Register your Dog on DogLost

Report your Missing Dog to Local Authorities:

Consider using a Pet Detective

What to do if you come across a Stray Dog

References

CONTENTS