What to do in the first 24 hours when your dog goes missing

The first hours after a dog goes missing matter most. Most dogs are found close to where they were last seen, so a simple plan made with a clear head helps more than anything else.

1. Breathe, then search nearby right away

Start where you last saw your dog and walk in wider and wider circles. Call their name in a calm, cheerful voice: a frightened dog comes closer to a gentle tone more easily than to a worried one.

• Bring a squeaky toy or a box of treats your dog knows.
• Check hidden spots: under cars, in stairwells, in yards, under bushes.
• Leave someone at home with the door open: many dogs come back on their own.

2. Post an alert on Losti

An alert notifies neighbours in your area within seconds. Add a clear, recent photo, the exact place and the time you last saw your dog.

Tip: a short, concrete description ("red collar, limps slightly on the left leg") helps more than a long one.

3. Tell the people who might see your dog

• Neighbours, the building manager, security guards in the area.
• Nearby vet clinics and shelters: leave them a photo and a phone number.
• Local social media groups. Share the alert link so everyone sees the same information.

4. Make a poster

A poster with a big photo, one line of description and a phone number can be read in passing. Put it up at crossings, near shops and at park entrances. In Losti you can create a poster with a QR code straight from the alert.

5. Leave a familiar scent outside

A T-shirt you have worn or your dog's bed, left near home or where they got lost, can help them find the way back. Add a bowl of water.

6. Search again in the evening

Frightened dogs hide during the day and move when it is quiet. Evenings and early mornings are good times to walk the route again, with a torch.

When you find your dog

Approach slowly, sideways, without running towards them. If your dog is hurt or very scared, see a vet as soon as you can. Then mark the alert as resolved so your neighbours know it ended well.

A microchip and a tag with your phone number are the simplest things that make the next search shorter.