If your dog or cat has slipped their collar while out on a walk, bolted during a storm or after being startled by a loud noise, or escaped through an open gate, there are immediate steps you can take to begin searching and alert people in your local area.
The first hour after discovering that your pet is missing can be an important time to act. Starting a physical search promptly while also spreading awareness can help put more people on the lookout.
Lost pets may behave differently from their normal behaviour when frightened or disoriented:
- Indoor cats: Frightened indoor cats may remain close to where they escaped and hide silently in sheltered locations such as under vehicles, decks, porches, sheds or dense vegetation. Search nearby hiding places carefully, even if your cat does not respond when called.
- Dogs: Frightened or excited dogs may continue moving after escaping and can travel away from the last-seen location. Begin searching the immediate area promptly and expand the search as needed.
Rather than spending valuable time designing and distributing paper posters before beginning your search, you can combine a local physical search with digital alerts and community outreach.
STEP 1: The Immediate Physical Sweep (Minutes 0–20)
- For cats: Use a flashlight, even during daylight, to check dark and sheltered spaces around the immediate area. Look under vehicles, around garages, beneath decks, along fences and in dense vegetation.
- For dogs: Search the streets and paths around the last-seen location. Take familiar treats, a lead and anything that may help your dog recognise you. If your dog appears frightened, avoid chasing or approaching in a way that may cause them to run further.
STEP 2: Expand Awareness Through a Digital Broadcast (Minutes 20–40)
A physical search can only cover a limited area at one time. Digital advertising can help increase awareness among people in and around the area where your pet was last seen.
Through PetSOLV’s geo-targeted missing-pet advertising service, your pet’s alert can be distributed through local digital advertising channels, delivering thousands of targeted advertising impressions around the nominated search area.
- Geo-Targeted Digital Advertising: Your pet’s photograph and identifying information can be shown through digital advertising targeted around the nominated search area.
- Local Awareness: Digital distribution helps extend awareness beyond the people you can reach personally during a physical search.
- Sighting Reports: Anyone who sees your pet can use the PetSOLV sighting-report system to submit information. Relevant sightings can then be passed to you to help focus your search.
Need to Broadcast an Emergency Alert Right Now?
If your pet is currently missing, starting your search and spreading awareness early can help more people know what to look out for.
Direct link to emergency dispatch: Enter your pet’s photo, last seen location and your contact information. Our automated alert network immediately deploys priority bulletins to local screens and viewing eyeballs across the neighborhood.
Note that we do not display your contact details in the missing pet messages.
(Pet safe at home right now? Don’t wait for an accidental escape to scramble for photos. Click here to set up your pet’s free Emergency Safety Profile so you are protected before an emergency occurs.)