Mapping Sightings and Fliering Online

An interactive lnline map is a tool that should be used in any organized search for a lost dog. This is particularly true where a ot of people are actively involved in the search. Well, actually, good maintenance of an interactive online map can make it possible for more people to be actively involved in the search!

Here's a sample of a very simple map used for a lost dog search from 2011.

The obvious use of a map, most typically using Google Maps, is for sightings. When a lot of sightings exist, and someone (or better eyt, several people) are assigned to plot each and every sighting, and timely as they are called in becauese the mappers are kept in the loop when sightings are called in, then the map can really boose interest in the search if it is shared somewhere that it will be seen by supporters and people with an interest in the search. This may be done in Craigslist postings, listserv emails, Facebook groups or pages, or blogs, to name a few.

Another good use of the map is to plot flyering. I've used it to shade fliered areas in one color, and areas yet to be fliered in another color. At times I've even done things like set up several priority areas -- like 1st, 2nd and 3rd priority -- and given each priority a different color. then after the dog is found and it's time to unflier, you can remove shading as volunteers report to you that they have unfliered areas.

If the search has its own web presence such as a blog or a FB page, you can provide the URL to that site in the map description area. That will get some traffic to that site since there are some people that will find the map VIA Google Maps.

I find that the biggest problem with getting volunteers to accept responsibility to maintain the Google map is simply that they feel they will find it too difficult to do. It's SOOOOO easy to use Google Maps! You can find many Google Maps instructional videos at YouTube.  Or click on Help at the Google Maps opening page.

If the dog and its family are lucky enough to be in an area with trained missing pet scent tracking dogs, the handler should provide a map of the track. We have often re-created the track on our sighting and fliering maps.

Remember to suggest to the lost dog's people that maintaining the map is something that can be assigned to friends and family that don't live nearby, but really wish they could find a way to help with the search. As long as they are receiving communications, people unable to flier or search on the ground can be valuable assets to the search by helping maintain the map.