Lost dog? Do these things, in this order.

Search smart, close to home

1. Don't chase. If you spot them, stop, crouch low, turn side-on, call in a happy voice. A spooked dog runs from pursuit — even from you.
2. Search the immediate area first. Most lost pets hide close by — check quiet spots: under hedges and cars, sheds, garages, gardens.
3. Leave a scent anchor. Put their bed or your worn clothing outside your door, with water. Many pets find their own way back to a familiar smell.
4. Get help fast. One person stays home (pets often return); others walk the usual routes calling — dawn-and-dusk quiet works best for a frightened animal.

Tell the right people

1. Your microchip database — report the pet missing and make sure your phone number is current. An out-of-date chip record is the #1 reason reunions fail.
2. The local council dog warden — in the UK, councils handle stray dogs. Call yours and neighbouring councils too.
3. Local vets and rescue centres — injured pets are usually taken to the nearest vet; ring around with a description.
4. The neighbourhood — local Facebook groups, Nextdoor and community lost-pet pages spread word fastest. Post one clear photo, the area, the date and one contact number.
5. Posters still work — big photo, area last seen, one phone number. Keep back one identifying detail (a marking, a scar) so you can verify real sightings. Put them on dog-walking routes, at vets, shops and school gates.
6. Police — only if stolen. If there are signs of theft, report it and get a crime reference number.

Sixty seconds of prep beats a day of panic

• Microchip details up to date — it's the law for dogs in the UK (and for cats in England), and it's how shelters and vets reach you.
• A tag on the collar — the fastest reunions skip every database: a neighbour reads the tag and calls you. A QR tag goes further — one scan shows your pet's profile and pings you where they were scanned. PetHub+ tags — free for UK members.
• A ready-to-go poster — PetHub+ builds a lost-pet poster from your pet's profile in one tap, with a QR code that routes sightings straight to you.
• Lost Mode — flip your pet's PetHub+ profile to Lost and anyone who scans their tag sees it immediately, with a one-tap "I've seen this pet" report.

Quick answers

Who do I report a lost dog to in the UK? Your council's dog warden, your microchip database, and local vets/rescues. Police only if stolen.

How far do lost dogs go? Usually not far — frightened dogs hide rather than run. Search close and quiet first.

Do sightings mean I should run over? Approach calm and low, never chase. Bring smelly treats and their blanket.

Is microchipping required? Yes — UK dogs must be chipped with current keeper details; cats in England too.