What To Do If Your Hound Gets Loose

This page provides a list of actions that you should take in the event that your hound gets out. Act quickly, but don’t panic. Being thorough and getting the word out quickly will increase the likelihood that your hound will be found and safely returned. Spread the word, connect, reach out, remain positive and focused. They are counting on you to bring them home.

What To Take With You
• Cell Phone
• Squawker or squeaky toy
• Leash
• Fragrant dog treats
• Flashlight (if night is approaching)
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Move Into Action
Walk and drive the neighborhood and surrounding community. Use the squawker or squeaky toy to get their attention and entice them. Yell something that will catch the hound's attention like "car ride," or "treat." If you see the dog, walk or run in the opposite direction. Don’t run towards the dog, as they may think you are playing and run farther and faster.
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Getting The Word Out
Important information you should provide with every communication:
• Location: city and street with nearby cross streets and the direction the hound was headed. Include any easy to identify neighborhood markers, businesses, etc.
• Time: When was your hound last seen?
• Description: Gender and color and any identifying characteristics (collar color, unique markings, etc.)
• Identification on your dog: Personal ID tag, GPA tag, rabies tag, etc.
• Personality: Is the hound friendly and outgoing, or shy and spooky?
• Special word/phrase: Any special familiar word or phrase that will get the hound excited to come running - "Treat," "Car Ride," etc?
• Contact information: Who is leading the search? Name, phone numbers and or e-mail address.
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Who To Call
• GPA phone line: leave detailed message on the GPA Phone line 763-785-4000.
• Vet clinics: in the area and your personal vet, especially if hound has a rabies tag from that clinic.
• Non-emergency police
• Animal emergency hospitals
• Animal shelters
• Animal control
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Internet And Email
• Send an email to losthound@gpa-mn.org: quickly connects you with a list of current board members who can provide assistance.
• GPA e-List: Post a message on the GPA e-List (list@gpa-mn.org) with all of the pertinent information. This will quickly alert members who may be in the area and can assist in the search.
• GreyTalk: You’ll either need to be a subscriber (it’s free) to post information about a missing greyhound (Amber Alert) or you can post a request on the GPA e-List and ask a GreyTalk member to post for you. http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/forum/24-greyhound-amber-alert/
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Set Up a Search Unit
1. Send out search units of two-to-three people in all directions. Greyhounds have a tendency to run in circles. Even if they headed one direction, they may have doubled back in the opposite direction.
2. Each search unit should take an area about 1/2 mile square. Stay in your area. The hound might not be there the first five times you go down the street, but very well may be there your next trip.
3. Each search unit should have a cell phone, a collar and lead, some dog treats and a flashlight if night is approaching. If you can take a dog along too, especially a greyhound, it may help the scared hound feel more comfortable and draw them in.
4. Check alleys, outside restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and any place where the dog may be able to find food. Check cemeteries and parks in the area. Both places can offer shelter and trash to search for food.
5. If you spot the hound and you sense he is spooked (even a friendly dog can get scared after being loose), walk away from him or lay down on the ground and call him gently. Sudden movements may send him running again. Offer ‘stinky’ food that may be very appealing to a hungry dog. Consider setting up a kennel familiar to them in the area where last seen.
6. If you don’t find the dog, make sure you leave food and water outside your home. Leave a familiar blanket or bed outside so he will know this is home should he find his way back. If he likes riding in the car, leave the car door open overnight: you may have a surprise waiting for you in the morning.
7. Keep your outside lights on and leave a garage door or gate open in case the hound returns to the area looking for home. Set your alarm and check outside every hour.
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Prepare And Post Flyers
• Editable Microsoft Word Flyer: You can download an editable flyer here that you can modify with your information and your hound's picture and print copies for posting. 
• PetID Poster: http://www.petid.com/missing_pet.lasso  PetID offers a free .PDF flyer creation service to anyone who has lost a pet, regardless if they are subscribers or not. Enter the information requested and they will create a PDF file that is downloaded to your computer. You can then print and or send to others. There also is a search tool on their site to help you find shelters and vets in your area.
• Handmade posters: Don’t worry about how they look!  You can tape a picture of your hound to a piece of paper, or draw/download a greyhound silhouette, and using a thick black marker clearly write the important contact information. Drive to your local copy shop and print off a large supply.

Distribute and post fliers on street posts and signs in your neighborhood, nearby parks, dog walking paths, community boards at grocery stores, pet stores, vet clinics, schools, churches, gas stations, nursing homes - any place where there are people. Ask permission first if applicable. Staple to wood posts or use a strong packaging tape. Ask for help from friends and neighbors - whoever you can. If each of your children’s friends spend 15 minutes putting up posters and telling everyone they know - that’s a lot covered in a short amount of time. Consider including a reward. Maintain a map of the search area and highlight areas covered with flyers.
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Other Resources
• Help from other GH groups: Ask other greyhound adoption programs to help spread the word and assist if possible. Other local groups in the Twin Cities area are Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption and Minnesota Greyhound Rescue.
• Animal Humane Society: Free online lost and found bulletin board.  You can post information, a photo and check the found section to see if your hound has been found.
• PetFinder: You can post lost pets by state and check found pets.
• Craigslist: Lost and Found postings.
• Other online search tools: www.Findtoto.com, www.Fidofinder.com, www.Petrescue.com
• Facebook and Twitter: Post notifications an updates to get the word out.
• Email Distribution Groups: City offices, area schools, Chamber of Commerce, community e-Lists, etc.
• Newspapers: Consider posting information in your community newspaper. 
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