Lost Dog Emergency Plan
THE SALT HOUND PROJECT · EMERGENCY MODE
My Dog Is Lost.
Move fast. Work several channels at once.
Quick answer: Start at the last-seen location, alert local shelters and animal control, mark the microchip as lost, and publish one clear recent photo with the exact time and place. Do these in parallel rather than waiting for one channel to work.
THE FIRST 15 MINUTES
- Search the immediate area safely and note the exact last-seen time and location.
- Call local animal control and nearby shelters; file lost-pet reports where available.
- Mark the microchip as lost and verify that the phone number is current.
- Notify the veterinarian and rescue or shelter that knows the dog.
- Post one clear recent photo, last-seen location, time and reliable contact method in reputable neighborhood and lost-pet networks.
THEN WIDEN THE NET
Check shelter listings repeatedly, not just once. Use large simple physical signs where permitted. Contact adjacent jurisdictions if the dog could have traveled. Keep records of sightings with time and direction of travel instead of assuming every sighting is current.
BE CAREFUL OF SCAMS
Do not send money, verification codes or account credentials to someone who claims to have your dog without evidence. Ask for a detail or photo that reasonably confirms the dog.
AFTER THEY ARE HOME
Update the microchip, inspect gates and doors, review collar/ID fit, and think about why the escape happened. The goal is not blame; it is preventing the next one.
RELATED DOG-SAFETY RESOURCES
Lost-dog Help Desk → for the broader emergency pathway. California Dog Guide → for local shelters, emergency care and regional resources. Life Together emergency planning → to prepare identification, records and backup contacts before the next emergency.