Where, Oh, Where Has My Little Dog Gone?

How Not to Sing the Lost Pet Blues

By Dr. Julie Bartz

Having your dog go missing can be heartbreaking.

Recently, I was pulling up to my driveway when I saw one of my dogs trotting across it! I thought, hmmm, that’s odd. I wonder how he got out. As I neared the house, I saw my front door standing wide open and the screen door pushed out!

Immediately I took inventory of my pets—I have four dogs and three cats, so this can take a while—and realized that two cats and two dogs were missing. I was able to retrieve the cats quickly, as they were hiding under my front porch. (Whew! Around here, cats don’t make it long in the wild.) But my 12-year-old yellow lab, Gunther, and my 4-year-old pit mix, Nina, were long gone. Panic began to set in, especially when I realized that Gunther was not wearing a collar and tag, and Nina’s tag contact phone number was outdated! To make matters worse, Nina was not registered with Maricopa County. At least, I thought, they have their microchips, and hopefully someone will scan them and trace them back to me.

I imaged the worst—coyotes, a hunter, someone who doesn’t like dogs—got hold of my fur kids.

At this point, I realized I needed some help, and I put a plan into action. First, I listed the dogs on Maricopa County’s pets911.com. This Web site is dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners. Photos and descriptions of both pets that are lost and pets that someone has found may be posted here.

Second, I enlisted the help of some friends to canvass the neighborhood both on foot and by car. (Remember to bring a collar and leash with you when you set off in search of your lost pets, and always be in cell phone contact with your fellow searchers.)

I made a LOST DOG flyer with both dogs’ photos on them, which I placed at friendly gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience stores as well as near mailboxes.

I called the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and was told they don’t give lost pet information over the phone. I was instructed to visit the shelter the following day. On my way to the shelter, my cell phone rang and one of their staff informed me that she had my dogs. What a relief! They had traced them to me via their microchips.

Upon arriving at the shelter, I was informed that Gunther had a “get out of jail free” card, as he was properly registered with the county. Nina, on the other hand, would cost me some money as a penalty for not having her licensing current. Uh-oh. And if she wasn’t spayed, she would need to be prior to her release. I provided proof that she had been altered but was charged for her capture, overnight boarding, DHPP, and rabies vaccinations as well as her licensing. It was well worth it, but boy, did I learn some valuable lessons. I’ll pass them on to you:

1. Have all of your dogs and cats microchipped and keep your contact info current. This can be done at your veterinarian’s office and is a similar procedure to vaccinating.

1. Get your pets collars and tags with your current contact information on them. (If I had done this, the dogs would not have been sent to county in the first place.)

1. License your dog with Maricopa County or wherever you live.

The law in Arizona requires that all dogs over the age of 3 months have a license and rabies vaccination. For more detailed information on fees and how to license your pet, visit maricopa.gov/pets/license. The state of Arizona does not require cats to be licensed, but it is a very good idea to microchip your cat and get him or her an ID tag.

Thankfully, my dogs were returned to me quickly. I hope you pet owners will learn from my experience!