CANINE CORNER WITH REBECCA HAWKINS
What To Do If Your Beloved Dog Goes Missing
There has been an influx of missing dogs in the local area in the past few months which has prompted me to update you with a few tips to help and local numbers/websites you can have to hand in an emergency.
Do this first -
- Contact the Maidstone Borough Council Dog Warden: The local authority handles collecting all stray dogs found in the borough. Call them to report your dog missing and check if they have already collected it.
- Notify Your Microchip Company: Immediately phone the database where your dog's microchip is registered and report them as
missing. This ensures your contact details are up-to-date and prevents anyone from illegally changing the chip details. You may
need to use a service like Petlog if they are your provider. - Check the Immediate Area: Search the area where your dog was last seen, including local parks or familiar walking spots. Ask neighbours to check their gardens, sheds, and garages where a frightened pet might hide or become trapped. Bring their favourite treats/toys or bedding to help lure them out with familiar smells and sounds. Your dog may go into survival mode and become scared or anxious so be mindful not to chase but to gently call their name and remain calm without showing you are panicking or worried and they may bolt. Approach the dog with a side on stance, without eye contact to appear unthreatening.
Further Steps -
- Contact Local Vets and Rescues: Notify all local veterinary surgeries and animal rescue centre’ in and around Maidstone. Provide them with a detailed description and a photo of your dog, as people often take found pets to a vet or shelter.
- Use social media and Online Databases: Post details and a photo of your dog on local lost and found pet groups. The Facebook groups "MAIDSTONE PETS KENT UK lost found stolen" and "Lost And Found Cats and dogs In Maidstone" are useful community platforms for this purpose. You should also register your dog as missing on national databases such as Animal Search UK.
- Create and Distribute Flyers: Make flyers with a clear, recent photo of your dog, a brief description, the last known location, and your contact information. Post them in your local area, including community boards, supermarkets, and pet stores.
- Visit Local Shelters Regularly: Do not just rely on phone calls; visit local shelters in person to check all kennels, as descriptions can sometimes be subjective.
- Don't Give Up: 90% of lost dogs are reunited. Persist with your search efforts. Many lost pets are reunited with their owners after days or even weeks.
Useful telephone numbers -
Maidstone Borough Council Dog Warden - 01622 602117
Coxheath Vets - 01622 743888 / Newnham Court Emergency Vets - 01622 734555
Viking Oak Kennels - 01732 883468
RSPCA leybourne - 0300 123 0751 / RSPCA Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone 01622 751062
Pet Log Missing Dog Line - 01732 883468
Websites to help -
DogLost - UK's Lost & Found Dog Database
Maidstone Borough Council Lost and Found Dogs
Animals Lost & Found in Kent
Pets Reunited
Animal Search UK
Drones to help search -
DroneSAR for lost dogs (DroneSAR for lost dogs is a free to use volunteer)