Hints on preventing your German Shepherd going missing and what to do when you get that sinking feeling it has happened.
Prevention:
Microchipping – this enables your dog to be traced back to you. A small chip the size of a grain of rice is inserted into the area between the shoulder blades of your dog. This carries a unique number which is held on a data base with all the information you have put on a form which is submitted to the ‘control centre’. If your dog has any health issues it is important to note that on the form i.e. Epilepsy, EPI, Allergies etc. This will be beneficial to the finder of your dog who will be caring for it until you pick him/her up. Make sure you update any change of address if you move.
Council Registration Tag. This will enable the dog to be matched up to an owner.
Name Tag and phone number: This will enable the dog to bypass Animal Control if the finder can ring you directly.
Padlocks on Gates. Gates can be left open accidentally by courier drivers, meter readers. Make sure your property is secure if your dog is home alone. They rely on you to keep them safe.
Check fencing. Age can weaken fences, make sure your fence is in good repair. Dogs can squeeze out of the smallest of gaps.
Fence height. Make sure your fence is a height suitable for your breed of dog. German Shepherds have a very long body so if they are on their back legs, they can easily reach over 1.5 metres hence our recommendation of 1.8 (6ft) fences being most suited to this breed.
If you have a new dog, let your close neighbours know. You can also ask them how he/she behaves while you are out, does it bark for long etc. If you have never had a dog on your property, if he wanders next door and they don’t know you have a new dog they are not likely to let you know they found him.
Your German Shepherd is Missing – What do you do?
Check your property thoroughly. They can accidentally get locked in the laundry, garage.
First ring your local Animal Control and notify them your dog is missing, give them an accurate description of your dog, any identifying marks unique to your dog. If your dog has a tattoo give them the tattoo number. If possible take a photo to them, or ask if you can email one. Your description of your much loved dog may not match theirs. Long coated German Shepherds are often mistaken for Collie crosses!!!!
Put an ad on PetsOnTheNet – literally thousands of dogs have been reunited through this excellent service. Check the Found Dog’s section on that website also as people who find dogs.
Place notices in letter boxes in your street or posters in local shops.
Facebook, TradeMe and Twitter are now ways of getting the word out.
You can contact us with a photo and we will put him on our Lost Dog section, Facebook and Twitter pages.