Five Resources to Help You Locate Your Lost Dog

"HELP, LOST DOG!" is often seen on fliers posted on light poles, stop signs, dog parks and anywhere else someone can place them in hopes of finding their doggies. 

In the last 10 months, I have been on three or four dog searches. Luckily, the outcome for all the searches was good. All the dogs were found rather quickly. Not everyone is this lucky, so I want to help by giving some tips on where to put information to help find your dog (outside of walking and driving all the streets and putting on a 24-hour hunt).

Two of the most important things you can do before your dog gets lost is to keep their tags up-to-date with your contact information and to have your dog microchipped. A tiny microchip with the owner's unique alphanumeric registration code helps identify lost pets when their collars fall off, get torn off or chewed off. 

If your dog is already lost, here are five information resources that may help:

1. If you don't have the technical skills to make one of those fliers to post everywhere in your neighborhood (and outside your neighborhood -- I have seen how some dogs run, and they can go a couple miles in no time), visit this website. Here you can make a flier of your lost or found dog simply by filling out a form. (http://www.petbond.com/flyerentry.php?oid=bf)
2. After doing your flier and posting it with updated information you should go to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office website for lost animals. You can post and search for lost and found pets 24 hours a day. On this site, you can fill out information to help someone get in contact with you if they find your pet. It also gives you quick links to local animal shelters you may want to contact in case  your pet was turned in there. (http://www.pcsoweb.com/cares/)
3. Let’s not forget your own largo.patch.com has place for announcing lost and found pets (and other items) on Largo Patch Lost & Found. You simply fill out a form, being sure to include your contact information and a picture of your pet. The following day, it is even included in the daily newsletter, which gets sent out to all the participating members of the Largo community. It's a free resource for helping reunite Largo families with their beloved pets.  
4. Another good resource is FidoFinder.com, where you can search, place a classified ad, print posters and even receive automated email notifications when dogs that match what you have listed is registered on the site. It also gives information for shelter alters and resources, and is on Twitter and Facebook. (http://www.fidofinder.com)
5. Finally, Craiglist can sometimes be a good help. But, you must be aware of scammers. Here you can place all information you want out there, localized to your particular county or city. 

I have to say, I hope you never have to use this information, but if you do, I hope it helps you find your lost pet.