It’s one of the worst feelings imaginable: the panic that sets in when you realize your dog is missing. It happens to someone every two seconds, often when the dog is in someone else’s care, or in an unfamiliar area.
Most pets are back with their family in the first few hours, but the odds of a reunion drop dramatically after that first day. You may not want to even think about it, but the good news is that there are quick, easy, and very effective things you can do right now — when your pet is safe and right next to you — to make sure you’ll always find your way back to each other.

- Give your dog a chip — and Register It You probably know a collar with an ID tag is the fastest and easiest way to lose-proof your dog, but getting her microchipped, which your vet can do in minutes for around $50, serves as insurance in case her collar slips off.Smaller than a grain of rice and implanted just underneath the skin, it can be scanned for contact info if your lost pet ends up at a vet or a shelter, even several states away. But studies show only about half of pet owners register their chip afterwards, which means the microchip won’t provide contact info when it’s scanned, and many owners don’t update their information when they move. Once your pet is chipped, make sure to also enter your details in the pet registry database — do it now if you forgot — and update everything if things change.
- Grab your camera. You may have a ton of photos of your four-legged-family member already, but you’ll want to have several different angles that show identifiable marks like unique colorings or spots on her fur. Most people won’t bother contacting you about a sighting unless they’re positive it’s the right one.
- Get a tracking device You can now find your dog through a GPS pet tracker, which attaches to the collar and pinpoints her location. It will work only if the battery is charged, and it can be pricey — around $400 and up, plus monthly or annual fees — but that may be well worth it if it helps get your pet home safely.Even if you do take all these precautions ahead of time, you won’t want to just sit and wait for someone to call once your pup goes missing. Go out and search the minute you realize she’s gone; canvass the area and call her name, as she’s more likely to hear than see you, and carry something with her scent, like a favorite toy or blanket, which will help if she’s frightened or disoriented. If you have another dog at home, bring him along with you, since he’ll be automatically tracking his lost playmate by scent. Most dogs are found within twenty minutes just by searching the neighborhood, but if an hour goes by, you’ll have to take more proactive measures, like these below.
- Go on walks often. A dog who never gets a chance to explore is likely to bolt out the door at the first opportunity, and then won’t have the know-how to find her way back. Make sure to take her on regular walks, so she gets plenty of exercise and won’t have the urge and pent-up energy to explore on her own.
- Keep her safe in the car. When driving with your dog, make sure she’s restrained with a harness or special pet seat belt (you can find them at pet stores). Not only does this keep her safe from injury, it prevents her from running away when she sees an open door — many pets run off at rest stops due to the strange surroundings, or panic after an accident and escape in fear.
- Get the best collar. A dog may try to bolt on a walk when something either spooks her or looks fun to chase, so make sure the collar is tight-fitting enough so she can’t escape (but not so tight that it chokes her). Try a Martingale collar, which is more secure if she tries to slip out of it.
- Check your gate — often. You may have a fenced yard, but not necessarily notice when a slat gets loose or a gopher digs a hole underneath — your dog, however, will. Check your fence periodically to check for wear and tear, since a motivated dog can find its way through even the smallest opening — especially when spooked by a loud noise like thunder.
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