Although there are no guaranteed steps to finding a lost beagle, these techniques can greatly improve the probability of finding and catching a lost beagle.

This information should be used as general guidance.  Success of these techniques will vary based on the loose dog and circumstances surrounding the location.

  • If you have friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, or anyone else who is willing to assist with any of the activities below, enlist them early.
  • A quick response improves the chances of recovering the dog before any incident occurs.
  • Contact the Beagle Recovery And Trapping Team (BRATT) for additional assistance at BRATT@tribeagles.org

Take your dog’s blanket, dog bed cover or other item on which she sleeps; roll the item with several of cotton sterile bandage pads; place the roll into a large Ziplock bag.

This may be useful if professional Search & Recovery services are needed.

Animal Control / Shelter

  • Notify your local shelter (an any close surrounding area shelters) of the lost pet.
  • Check the shelter social media (twitter, Facebook, etc.) daily for newly found animals.
  • Visit the shelter in person as frequently as possible to view all found dogs.

Veterinarians

  • Notify local veterinary offices of the lost dog in case the dog is found and checked for a microchip.
  • Send a copy of the flyer and ask if they are willing to display in the office area.

NextDoor

  • This is a powerful tool for alerting residents in the immediate area.
  • Extra eyes give you a huge advantage since you cannot be in multiple places at once.
  • If the dog is lost outside of your NextDoor group, ask your contacts if anyone is available in the area that can post on your behalf and monitor the page for updates and sighting reports.

Pawboost, Lost&Found Pets

  • Post your pet on these and like pages with just enough information for people to identify the dog and contact you if found.
  • Avoid giving too much detail about collar/harness/leash or other unique details so you can ask verification questions of any potential finder.

Facebook

  • Follow your local rescues, shelters, and lost & found pets pages.
  • Share your posts from Pawboost, Lost&Found Pets, etc.
  • Make your posts public so others can share as well.
  • Understand that the internet may elicit responses from people looking to prey upon your vulnerable situation.
  • Create a public “Bring <pet’s name> home” page. Use this page to coordinate information. Again, do not post specific details as you do not want bad actors taking advantage of your situation.

False Claims

  • You may receive calls from people claiming to have information about your pet but demanding up-front payment may contact you.
  • This is likely an attempt to swindle money from you by preying upon your vulnerability.
  • If information will not be divulged, report the incident to your local authorities.
  • If you choose to make these payments, do so at your own risk.

Microchip

  • If your dog is microchipped, alert your chip company of the lost dog in case the dog is reported as found.
  • Be sure your contact information is updated.

GPS Tracking

  • If your dog has a GPS tracking collar, use the tracking mode as sparingly as possible to maximize the battery life.
  • Alert the GPS Tracking service that the dog is lost in case it is reported as found.

Personal Searching

  • If you see the dog, do not chase.
  • Even non-skittish dogs can be panicked when loose and my not recognize their owner.
  • Sit down.
  • Be still and quiet. If and only if the dog is not skittish, softly call the dog’s name.
  • Lay on the ground, eat messily, yawn, avoid making eye contact.
  • Do not immediately grab for the dog if it approaches.
  • Any attempt at physical contact should be slow and gentle.
  • Take your time.
  • Work in increments, let the dog sniff, then a light pet, then more firm pets.
  • Use a slip leash to restrain the dog rather than grabbing.
  • Work the leash over the dog’s head gently and slowly. Let the dog sniff the leash if it wants to do so.
  • If the dog moves off, follow closely enough to maintain visual contact but keep your distance.
  • If the dog runs, let her go to avoid scaring her into crossing any busy roads in the area.
  • If possible, lure or guide the dog into a confined space (like a fenced yard).
  • It may be necessary to deploy humane animal traps to capture skittish dogs.
  • Note exactly where she was (address/intersection/area), time of day, and the direction the dog was moving.
  • Keep track of sightings on Google Maps or similar app.
  • Skittish dogs will hide but not venture too far away from human population (where food is likely to be found). Many will follow creeks or stay near water, look for cover, and places to shelter from the elements. Wooded areas are typically good areas to find all these requirements.

Professional Search and Recovery Trackers

  • This is not a free service.
  • Recovery services can be very useful for locating a dog if no sightings are reported.
  • Engaging a S&R service is best done as close to the escape time as possible to maximize the amount of fresh scent in the area.
  • A successful result is a scent “hit” that will provide direction for flyering/search efforts and trap placement.
  • Flyer format
    • Keep flyer content to the basics: sex, weight, color, last known location
    • Flyer should be readable from a distance.
    • Use a good, clear, color photo.
    • Be sure to include a contact number.
    • Flyers from a professional service (Office Depot, FedEx/Kinkos) are cheaper than printing at home.
  • Flyer the area where the dog is known or suspected to be located.
  • If location is unknown, the best approach will be to spiral outwards from where the dog was last spotted.
  • Be respectful of people’s property.
    • Most people are happy to assist but if anyone states otherwise, just thank them and move on.
    • Make sure you follow neighborhood posting rules and obtain permission as needed.
  • Place flyers on
    • light/telephone poles
    • stop signs
    • near dog cleanup stations
    • on greenway signs
    • community mailboxes, etc.
    • pet stores, grocery stores, and other places dog supplies are sold.
    • local dog-friendly businesses like pubs and outdoor eateries.
  • Flyers are best posted in plastic Ziploc bags.
    • Gallon bags work well for an 8-1/2 x 11 flyer.
    • The protectors must have zipper end at the bottom to keep the water out.
  • Talk to everyone you see.
    • Print “handout” flyers (4 per each 8-1/2 x 11 page) and cut up to give to people while you are out.
    • Be polite and explain that you are looking for a loose dog.
    • Explain that the dog is scared/skittish and do not chase.
    • Ask if they are willing to take a picture, report day, time, location, and direction that the dog was seen.
    • Offer them a flyer with a number to which they can text pictures and information.
    • Thank them for their time.
  • Stay hydrated during hot days. Be aware of your surroundings and stay safe.
  • Skittish dogs are likely to be in hiding during the active daytime hours so do not be discouraged if no sightings are reported every day.
  • Signage should be large (11×17 works well)
    • Use large font to be read at distance and speed of traffic.
    • Place signs at major intersections and heavy traffic locations.
    • Laminate signs to protect from weather.
    • Attach to wood stakes and deploy as close to the roadway as possible.
  • If you have access to a humane animal trap large enough to capture your dog, take advantage of this tool.
  • Local Animal Control, rescue groups, wildlife refuges, and similar organizations may have traps that can be borrowed or rented.
  • Traps must be placed in a location that has full protection from the sun at all times throughout the day.
  • Trap must be checked at least twice daily.
    • Check late morning (9-10am) and evening (6-7pm) depending on daylight hours.
    • Dogs are likely to be most active in the early morning and late evening hours.
  • Trap will operate best on a flat, level surface.
  • Trap bottom and outside may be covered with branches, leaves, or other natural material from the immediate area to disguise the metal. Be careful not to interfere with the trigger mechanism components.
  • Place fresh water and bait in the trap daily.
  • Bait
    • Successful bait will give off the strongest scent.
    • Start with what you know your dog likes.
    • Place bacon grease on bushes/trees near the trap to get the enticing smell up into the air.
    • Plain hamburger patties, cat food, sardines, canned dog food, hot dogs, Fritos, KFC chicken nuggets (no bones), rotisserie chicken (de-boned), or anything else you can think might work.
    • Some foods are more fragrant when warm so don’t be afraid to heat it up before you place it in the trap.
    • Small metal bowls work well to hold the water and bait. Plastics will likely be chewed.  Glass/ceramic may break and could injure an animal.
  • Catching unintended animals
    • It is probable that you will catch other animals in the trap while attempting to capture your dog
    • Likely critters include but are not limited to other dogs, cats, squirrels, racoons, opossums, and foxes.
    • These animals may be frightened so use caution when releasing them. Stand behind the trap and open the end opposite the animal. Use a stick to gently nudge the animal toward the open end of the trap.
    • If an animal is captured that I acting erratically or seems dangerous, contact your local animal control office for release assistance.
  • What to do when you catch your dog
    • Do not open the trap outside.
    • Safely transport the trap with the dog inside to an enclosed location such as garage or fenced yard.
    • Open the trap in the safe location so the dog cannot escape.
  • Trail cameras can be very useful to show activity in and around the trap.
  • Most cameras can take day and nighttime photos or video.
  • Cameras should be placed at a medium distance from the trap to provide a wide enough field of vision to catch movement around the trap.
  • Check camera at least once per day or as frequently as required to determine what animal is taking bait.
  • Valuable cameras may be locked to trees to reduce the possibility of theft.
  • A feeding station may be setup with a camera to evaluate wildlife activity in the area.
  • A feeding station location will be best suited along animal trails in wooded areas slightly away from human activity. Wooded areas off of greenways can work well for this purpose.
  • Trail camera should be placed low and close to the feeder as bowls will be directly on the ground and small animals will eat the food.
  • Use small amounts of food. The objective is to see what wildlife is in the area, not feed the resident racoon population.