What should I do first if my dog goes missing?

Stay as calm as you can and search your immediate surroundings first, house, garden, sheds, next door, before going further afield. Many dogs are found close to home, sometimes hiding rather than running. If you can see your dog at a distance, resist the urge to chase, crouch down, call happily and encourage them to come to you instead.

Who do I contact about a lost or stray dog in Peterborough?

Report it to Peterborough City Council's dog warden service (run by Midland Environment Contracts Ltd) on 07795 383003, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, or 01733 864157 on weekends. Stray dogs are legally the council's responsibility rather than the police's, and are held for seven days under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 while the owner is traced.

Should I chase my dog if I see them running away?

No, chasing usually makes it worse. It can trigger a dog's instinct to keep running rather than come back. Crouching down, calling in a happy, calm voice, or even lying down and ignoring them can often work far better than pursuit.

Where can I report a lost dog online?

Locally, post in Peterborough's Lost Pets on Facebook, a well-used local group for exactly this. Nationally, DogLost.co.uk is the UK's largest lost and found dog database, used by owners, rescues, dog wardens and the police, and is worth registering with wherever in the country you are.

Guides

If Your Dog Goes Missing: What To Do, Step by Step

It's one of the most frightening things that can happen as a dog owner, or as someone looking after a dog for the day. Take a breath first: the vast majority of missing dogs are found, often close to home and often quickly. Panic doesn't help your search, but a clear head and a plan does. Here's exactly what I'd do, in order.

Right away: search close to home first

Check the house, garden, sheds, under decking and any gap a dog could squeeze into before widening the search. Scared or startled dogs often hide quietly nearby rather than run far, so a calm, thorough check of your own property and your neighbours' gardens comes before anything else.

If you can see your dog at a distance, don't chase them. Chasing triggers a dog's instinct to keep running. Instead, crouch down, make yourself smaller, and call them in a happy, calm voice, or try sitting or lying down and ignoring them for a moment. Curiosity often brings a nervous dog back far faster than pursuit ever will.

Report it straight away

The sooner it's reported, the sooner people can look out for your dog. In Peterborough:

Peterborough City Council dog warden (Midland Environment Contracts Ltd): 07795 383003, Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm, or 01733 864157 on weekends. Stray dogs are the council's legal responsibility, not the police's, and are held for seven days under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 while the owner is traced.
Local vets, call around nearby practices, many keep a lost and found log or noticeboard, and a found dog is sometimes brought straight to the nearest vet to be scanned.

Check your dog's microchip details

All dogs in the UK must be microchipped by law, and it's the quickest way for a vet, warden or rescue to trace an owner once a dog is found. If you're not certain your contact details are current on whichever database your dog is registered with, it's worth checking now, not just when it's needed. GOV.UK has guidance on finding out which database your dog is registered with if you're not sure.

Widen the search

Once the immediate area is covered, head out to your dog's usual walking routes and any spots they know well, dogs often gravitate towards familiar ground. Check quiet dead ends, hedgerows, allotments and anywhere offering cover. Ask dog walkers, joggers and anyone else you pass, a description and rough time last seen is often enough for someone to remember spotting your dog.

Spread the word online

A clear photo, your dog's name, description, where and when they went missing, and a contact number will help people help you. Share it as widely as you can:

Peterborough's Lost Pets on Facebook, the leading local group for exactly this, well used by the community and worth posting to immediately.
DogLost.co.uk, the UK's largest lost and found dog database, used by owners, rescues, dog wardens and the police nationwide, also on Facebook as DogLost UK.
Any other local community groups you're part of, Nextdoor, village or estate Facebook groups, and local noticeboards at vets, shops and community centres all help.

Myth

If my dog isn't found within the first few hours, the chances drop sharply.

Fact

Plenty of dogs are found days, even weeks later, often having been quietly taken in by someone nearby or spotted repeatedly before being caught. Keep sharing, keep checking, and don't lose hope.

If you've found someone else's dog

Keep them safe and secure, and get them scanned for a microchip as soon as you can, most vets will do this free of charge, no appointment needed. Contact the council dog warden using the numbers above, and post in Peterborough's Lost Pets too, there's a good chance the owner is already looking there.

Reducing the risk next time

Keep microchip details up to date, especially after a house move or change of phone number
Make sure your dog wears a collar with a legible ID tag whenever they're out, it's a legal requirement, and it's the fastest way for a member of the public to contact you directly
Check garden fences and gates regularly for gaps, especially after storms or building work
Consider a well-fitted harness rather than just a collar for nervous dogs or known escape artists, it's much harder to back out of

Losing a dog, even briefly, is horrible, but most stories end well. If you're ever unsure what to do or just need someone to talk it through with, message me, any time.