** MLDR IS STRICTLY A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION AND DOES NOT ENDORSE NOR ARE WE AFFILIATED WITH ANY "FOR PROFIT" LOST PET SERVICES.**
HAVE YOU LOST OR FOUND A DOG? We are community of volunteers sharing information to help reunite lost and found dogs with their loving homes. We do this by posting, networking with other rescue organizations, and providing resources on how to best search for your lost dog. Together we have a better chance to make the connection that may enable you to find your beloved dog more quickly.
Please visit us at https://www.facebook.com/MaineLostDogRecovery to post your missing dog. If you do not have facebook access please reply to us via Craigslist and we will direct you via email.
IMMEDIATE STEPS TO TAKE WHEN SEARCHING FOR A LOST DOG
1. Call animal control for your town AND surrounding towns (in case the dog travels across town lines).
2. Contact the shelters - local and beyond, in case she/he travels
3. Hang lots of flyers (between 100 - 300) on telephone poles within a 3-5 mile radius of where your dog was lost. Be sure to place the flyers in plastic sleeves/sheet protectors upside down to protect them from the elements. Using a staple gun, attach to telephone poles (every few, and alternate street sides), at intersections where cars have to stop, community service organizations, and anywhere they will be highly visible. Go door to door with smaller flyers. These can be four on a page mini-flyers. If there are no sightings on your lost dog, you need to extend the flyer radius. FLYERS ARE A CRITICAL PIECE to bringing a dog home safely.
4. Contact local veterinarians/emergency clinics.
LINKS TO HELP IN YOUR SEARCH:
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/animal_control_officers.shtml
http://www.animalsheltersinmaine.com/ (Animal Shelters and Rescues)
https://www.facebook.com/notes/maine-lost-dog-recovery/calming-signals-for-panicked-dogs/597042976985281 (An excellent and important video on how to act with a lost panicked dog). NEVER CHASE a scared lost dog!
These lists may not always be up to date. If you can't find who you are looking for or nobody responds to your call please contact your local Sheriff / Police Dept. or Town Office for information
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IMMEDIATE STEPS TO TAKE WHEN FINDING A STRAY DOG
1. FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT CALL YOUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER AND REPORT THE DOG AS FOUND. Someone looking for their dog will be calling the ACO's and the Shelters. If you keep the dog in your home you risk the owner not finding their dog. Even if you post on social media, remember, not everyone has access to Facebook or frequents Craigslist.- Here is a link to ACO's in Maine. http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/aw/ACOs.shtml
2. CALL OR TAKE THE DOG TO THE NEAREST SHELTER - Here is a link to Animal Shelters in Maine. http://www.animalsheltersinmaine.com/
3. PUT THE DOG ON-LEASH AND WALK HIM/HER AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD - In many cases, the dog will not be far from home, and someone may be out there looking for him / her
4.TAKE THE ANIMAL TO THE NEAREST VETERINARIAN - Most veterinary clinics will be very happy to scan the animal for a microchip, which will lead to contact information for the animal's owner.
5. MAKE A FOUND FLYER
Make and post "found" flyers in the area that give a brief description of the pet found and your contact info. We do not encourage holding the dog in your home to be claimed. Some people do have unsavory reasons for taking pets who don't belong to them and going through official means will ensure the dog is returned to the legal owner. Make sure anyone who calls to claim the pet can show you a matching photo before you hand the pet over to them. Again, we encourage reporting the dog through the Animal Control Office and or Shelter. They will be able to verify official identity.
6. TAKE CARE IF YOU BRING THE PET HOME
If the pet is infested with fleas, use a flea-control product immediately.
If your pets are not fully vaccinated, or are immune-suppressed, keep the stray away from your pets until you know it doesn't have a contagious illness.
Wash your hands well after handling the stray, and clean up waste immediately.
Introduce the animal to your children and pets cautiously, to ensure that they are friendly.Be cautious at feeding time and around toys -- some dogs can be protective with food and toys.
WARNING! There are unsavory individuals out there phoning people offering to find your dog for money up front, refunded if not successful. DO NOT EVER give money to anyone claiming they can find your dog. This is a huge scam and is happening all over the country. USE CAUTION PLEASE! They are feeding off your worries and desperation to steal your money!
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