Lost your dog? What to do straight away
If your dog goes missing, acting quickly and telling the right people gives you the best chance of getting them home. These steps follow Dogs Trust's advice for owners in the UK.
7 steps to take
Search nearby
Check the places you usually walk, and your previous address if you've moved recently. Ask about nearby building sites in case your dog is trapped.
Call your council's dog warden
The dog warden is legally responsible for stray dogs. Check neighbouring councils too, because dogs can travel a long way. Find your council on GOV.UK.
Tell your microchip database
Report your dog as lost so the database can flag any attempt to change the chip details, and let them know when your dog is home.
Contact vets, kennels and rescue centres
A finder may take your dog to a vet or a rescue such as Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blue Cross or Battersea. Ask local vets if you can put up a lost dog poster.
Register your dog on DogLost
Add your dog to DogLost, the UK lost dog register.
Use posters and social media
Put posters up in shops, supermarkets, libraries and newsagents, ask local dog walkers to look out, and post clear photos in local lost dog groups.
If you think your dog was stolen, call the police
Dogs Trust advises calling the police if you think your dog has been stolen.
If your dog wears a PawTrak collar
Switch on lost mode on your dog's page in PawTrak. Anyone who scans the collar sees an urgent banner that your dog is lost, and can message you and share their location.
- Any phone camera reads the QR plate. No app needed.
- Your vet and medical notes are there if your dog is hurt.
- With Premium you can also create a lost poster to print or share.
Shop collars · See what a finder sees