LOST FOSTER DOG

AS SOON AS WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, WE CAN POST IN OUR SOCIALS

• Where was the dog lost? 

• When? 

• How did the dog get loose? 

• What are the nearest major cross streets? 

• In what direction was the dog heading? 

• Does the dog have a collar or a drag leash? 

• What efforts have already been made? 

• It’s best if we can make you the main point of contact. What contact information can we share?

Prominently feature:

1. 1. • “LOST DOG” as the header

      • Dog’s photo

      • Your contact information

Also include:

1. 1. • Date lost

      • Location lost and/or last seen; include nearest major cross streets, the area of Austin (Northwest, Southeast, etc.), and the name of the subdivision or neighborhood

      • Gender

      • Breed or physical description if a mix

      • Approximate weight

      • Approximate age

      • Microchipped?

      • Collar or tag information

      • Temperament info (likes, dislikes, fearful, etc.); if the dog is fearful, the flyer should prominently say “DO NOT CHASE”.

*For more tips on creating effective posters and flyers see: 

https://missionreunite.org/search-techniques

Conduct all efforts both online and in person. Remember that many people are not on facebook and at least a decent proportion of the population are not online at all. This is why it's important to talk with neighbors and businesses and posting flyers.

Post the flyer to:

1. • Austin Lost and Found Pets Facebook Page: You will have to join this group if you haven’t already; contact us if you have trouble gaining permission to post

   • ALFP Street Team: You will have to join this group if you haven’t already; contact us if you have trouble gaining permission to post

   • Your neighborhood Listserv, NextDoor email group, or any other local or community group.

   • Craigslist sections:

     • Craig’s List Pet Listings in Austin

     • Craig's List Lost and Found listings in Austin.

Plaster the area with the flyer:

1. • on either end of the street where lost;

   • at the closest main intersection; and

   • at nearby businesses, schools, libraries.

   • Check with local vets and ask to post flyers with them.

Before you post any signs, make sure they will draw attention. If you printed it out on white paper, tape it to a large florescent piece of poster board to draw the eye. Post signs where they can be seen by drivers. You can make flyers using any text program or writing directly onto a bright poster board.

For help making flyers, you can also use any of these sites:

PetBond

Mission Reunite poster and flyer tips 

Create a sightings map by copying this example: APA! Lost Foster Dog Sightings Map and include it on all posts (this map has a sharing setting of anyone with the link can view, not edit, so that people can’t add unverified sightings; you are primarily responsible for updating the map).

WHERE THE DOG WAS LAST SEEN:

• Set up a feeding station where the dog was last seen; include the dog’s bedding and a crate (if you have the means, set up a camera to see if the dog is coming to eat).

• Put out your dirty laundry - the dirtier, the better - outside your home, apartment, or in a kennel (if possible) in the area in which your foster dog was last seen. Socks, pants, shirts, blankets, etc. all are effective. Familiar smells can lead your foster dog right home to you.

• Conduct visual searches of the neighborhood, including checking with neighbors in the vicinity to see if they have seen the dog and to ask to keep an eye out.

• If the dog had a dog friend, wander around with the dog friend where the lost dog was last sighted.