Postcard Mailing Services

In only the rarest of lost dog cases is it not critical to spread the word! This is how sightings are generated, and sightings are needed to locate the dog.

Then only if one is lucky can the dog be contained easily once found, or better yet, will the dog come when called once spotted. This is most often limited to when the dog hasn't been lost for long - yet. So even when a sighting comes in that shows a new location for the lost dog, that can be just the beginning. There may still be a lot of work to be done to condition the dog to stay in the area long enough to be trapped. This will mean that continued sightings will almost be essential to keep the dog's owner informed as they prepare for trapping.

So, say that it's been a while since there has been a sighting, and all of a sudden, a sighting comes in from a neighborhood where there has been no searching so far. As far as you're concerned, all the neighbors need to be told about the dog, and to have their own photo of him (or her)! Best if an army of people are available to rush there and flyer or deliver fliers to every household! But if that's not a real option, which it typically is not, consider recommending postcard mailer services.

There are several that exist expressly to help with missing pet searches. Everyone has heard of Sherlock Bones, right? That is essentially what Sherlock Bones does -- postcard mailing.

Then if you know about Pet Harbor, you probably know it as a site where you can view the animals at LOT of animal shelters, right?  Look more closely -- they also have a postcard mailer service.

I first discovered the concept when I visited the Lost Pet Cards website. Here's a sample postcard from this site:

Now, you can always produce your own cards, trust me. I've done it. Here is a resource offered by the USPS that isn't there only for missing pet guardians:  Every Door Direct Mail

Also look at Mailing.com, and search on Google to find the many more options that I'm certain exist! You may be required to provide the addresses for that one, and in another blog update, I will give you a way to do that.

Lost Dog Recovery Guide

Annalisa Berns has been helping people find their lost pets for years. She was initially trained by the Missing Pet Partnership in 2005, and has had tons of experience since then. She has written her own set of books on how to recover lost dogs and cats. I doubt that what she wrote is a re-hash straight from the MPP training materials; I expect it comes mostly from her considerable years of experience.

Her books have been around for a while, and now they are available from the HelpFindLostPets website, which looks to be very informative. I haven't read Annalisa's books, but in looking over the table of contents, I'd have to say it looks to be well worth the investment if you want to help people recover lost dogs. Like this blog, it's not for people looking to find their own lost dog; it looks like it would be information overload for that. But give it a look, and I'd love to find out your assessment of it as a resource for learning to be a pet detective.

Here's the table of contents:

Checklist of Techniques - A quick reference checklist to use in your search.

Chapter 1 – Common Myths

·         Some people don’t find their pet because they believe these myths!

Chapter 2 – FAST Search

·         If your dog just went missing.

·         Checklist of places to search for your dog and how to conduct a FAST search for your dog.

Chapter 3 – Supplies & Regroup

·         If you don’t have your dog back yet – preparation for search tasks including shopping lists.

·         Checking at the shelter – issues and information.

Chapter 4 – Witness Development

·         Critical tasks for witness development.

Chapter 5 – Trapping & Lure Techniques

·         Detailed directions on different types of trapping and lure techniques.

Chapter 6 – No luck? Move On!

·         Keep up your search momentum –  over 30 lower probability tasks, but important too!

Chapter 7 – Hiring a Pet Detective & Search Dogs

·         Information about using Search Dogs and Pet Detectives in your search for your dog.

·         Information about the authors of this guide and their references. Definitions of common terms.

Chapter 8 – Dealing with Sightings & Calls

·         Dealing with sightings can make or break your search!

Chapter 9 – Confirmed Sighting! Now What?

·         What to do to find your pet from a sighting.

Chapter 10 – Coyotes and Other Predators

·         Detailed information about predators and your missing pet.

·         How to keep predators out of your area and away from your pet.

Chapter 11 – Studies of Lost Pet Behavior & Missing Pet Recovery

·         Information and studies on lost dog behavior and how missing pets are recovered.

Chapter 12 – Breed Specific Tips

·         Resources and specific tips on some popular breeds.

Chapter 13 – I Think Someone Took My Dog!

·         Information about pet theft.

Chapter 14 – Dealing with Grief

·         What to do if the emotional pain of searching for your beloved pet is too much.

·         How to cope with the pain if you found your pet deceased.

Chapter 15 – Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

·         Common questions about finding lost pets and scent.

Chapter 16 – Your Dog is Home!

·         You found your dog safe – what to do next.

·         What to do to keep your dog safe.

Chapter 17 – References, Resources & Suggested Reading

·         Books, magazines, websites and newspaper articles referenced for this guide.

·         Where to go next if you want to know more.

Chapter 18 – Forms

·         Forms for services like Search Strategy Consultations with Pet Detectives and Forensic Testing.

By the way, one of the things I favor about this resource, and Annalisa Berns I guess! -- is the use of the term "Lost Dog Recovery". That's exactly how I think of it; I don't really think "pet detective" even when I say it just because it's quick and easy. To me, it's all about Lost Dog Recovery.

And here's where you can find it:
http://helpfindlostpets.com/lost-dog-recovery-guide