LOST CHOW

"Before & After Info

There are a few steps to take in case your chow is ever lost.  These steps will help assure the safe return of your beloved chow.
 

PREPARATION KIT
 

• Current enlarged photograph (Best if placed in a plastic slip cover from rain, liquids & finger prints)
   

• Current Photo on a floppy disc or cd for making flyers
   

• A hunk of hair from grooming tool (replaced & fresh each year) in plastic zip-lock bag on each of your dogs.
   

• Keep ID, chip & tattoo on your chow and have a record of the ID number and phone number to call. Be sure your personal information is kept current with Avid or other microchip trace company.

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WHAT TO DO IN THE ADVENT OF YOUR LOST CHOW

 Quick action is very important.

The order these steps are followed varies on each situation

• Check your home and property thoroughly.  When an animal becomes scared, ill or injured he or she might hide in an unusual place.  He or she may or may not come out of hiding when called.
   

• Use the photo on your floppy disc to make a large number of "Lost Dog Flyers".
   

• Cover your neighborhood with flyers. (store windows, telephone poles) Some towns and stores have rules - please check the laws in your area. The also often get removed and will need replaced.
   

• Search on foot and by vehicle calling your chows name often. Dogs can travel several miles a day.  Most of the time if they have left from their home and not looking for you or if they have a past owner, they will be in your neighborhood looking around and checking things out. Keep in mind that dogs will usually travel into the wind to investigate scents that they pick up in the air. Dogs can pick up scents in the air for 40 miles away. Local news/weather stations can tell you which direction the wind was coming from at the time your dog was lost.
  Remember to check places that would attract your dog such as the woods, play grounds, schools, parks, shopping centers, restaurants, other dog areas or any where you believe is of interest to your chow.
   

• Ask people you run into while searching if they have seen your chow and show them the enlarged photograph.
   

• Call your local dog shelter and check there each day or at least 3 times a week. Also check to see if they have a website to post your lost pets info and some shelters have lists of lost dogs brought in. Sometimes it is important to check surrounding shelters in other counties. Some police departments take lost dog reports and will keep an eye out.
   

• Call the local news paper immediately and place a lost dog ad and check the found dog ads till your chow is home safely. Also check the dogs for sale listing in case someone is trying to sell your pet.
   

• Call the veterinarian offices in a 20 mile radius.
   

• Cut up a dirty sock into quarter size pieces of the family member that your chow is most bonded with. Walk from your home in each direction make trails with the sock pieces back to your home. Drop a piece of the sock every 10-20 feet. The smellier the sock the better :)
   

• Remember that not all dogs quality of smell is the same.  Around the ocean, mills and certain industrial areas dogs ability to smell or accurate smelling can be changed.
   

• In your area there may be Rescue Pet Trackers available. You will have to decide if this step would fit your budget and need. I used a local pet tracker and it helped and the fee was $100. Some trackers charge up to $300.  This is the part where the hunk of hair comes in. The trackers rescue dog will know the scent of the missing chow by this hair sample.  A recommendable tracker has a good percentage of lost dogs becoming found.  Local trackers can be contacted though your local dog shelter.  Some trackers will travel.  For more information you may contact Majesty Chows.
  
  The tracker I used is Harry Oakes and his lovely dog Valorie. To reach Harry call his voice mail 503 650- 1904  / 503 505 7224 is his pager number.

• Or email searchdogs@cnnw.net website k9sardog

Updated 08/15/2007

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