No owner wants to even contemplate the thought of losing their dog. But the actions you take in the first few hours can significantly improve your chances of a safe reunion. This blog walks you through exactly what to do, from the moment you realise your dog is missing to the steps that keep the search going in the hours or days that follow.

What you'll need

• A recent, clear photo of your dog (ideally showing their full body and any distinguishing markings)

• Your dog's microchip number (found on your vet records or microchip registration paperwork)

• A list of local vets, rescue centres and dog wardens with their contact numbers

• Access to local Facebook groups and community platforms such as Nextdoor

• A lead, familiar toy or smelly item of your clothing for searching

Step 1: Search the immediate area first. 

Call your dog's name calmly rather than frantically - a stressed voice can make an anxious dog less likely to return. Ask anyone nearby if they've seen your dog and check spots your dog particularly loves: favourite sniffing spots, places they've escaped from before or hiding places.

Step 2: Report to your local council's dog warden immediately.

In the UK, local councils are legally required to collect stray dogs and hold them for at least seven days before rehoming or passing them to rescue. Contact your local authority's dog warden as soon as possible, this is an essential and often overlooked step. You can find your local dog warden through your council's website.

Step 3: Contact all local vets. 

Phone every veterinary practice within a reasonable radius and give them a description of your dog, your contact number and your microchip number. If someone finds an injured dog, a vet is often the first port of call, and they will scan for a microchip.

Step 4: Check your dog is registered on a microchip database and update your details. 

In the UK, all dogs must by law be microchipped and registered on an approved database. Check that your contact details are current; a chip is only useful if it leads back to you. The main UK databases include Petlog, Microchip Central and Animal Tracker. If you're unsure which database your dog is registered on, your vet can check.

Step 5: Report to DogLost and Animal Search UK. 

DogLost (doglost.co.uk) is the UK's largest lost and found dog database and is free to use. Register your dog as missing immediately and include clear photos. Animal Search UK is another widely used platform. Both have large networks of volunteers who actively help search and share missing dog reports.

Step 6: Post on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor. 

Search for your local area's lost and found pets group, community group and any spaniel or dog-specific groups in your region. Share a clear photo, your dog's name, where and when they went missing and your contact number. Ask people to share widely and update the post regularly to keep it visible.

Step 7: Put up physical posters. 

Print A4 or A3 posters with a large photo, your dog's description, the area they went missing from and your phone number. Put these up on lamp posts, in local shops, at vets and on any community noticeboards nearby.

Step 8: Leave familiar scents at the last known location. 

Leave an item of your worn clothing and your dog's bedding near the spot they were last seen. Dogs navigate by scent and may find their way back to a familiar smell, particularly if they're frightened and hiding nearby.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't wait before reporting. 

Many owners spend too long searching locally before contacting the dog warden or DogLost, assuming their dog will turn up on their own. The earlier you report, the better. Microchip databases, wardens and rescue centres can only help if they know your dog is missing.

Don't chase your dog if you spot them. 

If your dog is in a flight state, running towards them will almost always cause them to run further away. Instead, crouch down, avoid eye contact, and use your most upbeat voice or walk in the opposite direction to trigger their instinct to follow.

Don't rely solely on social media. 

Online posts are powerful but can't replace direct contact with dog wardens and vets, who are the most likely first point of contact for a found dog. Do both - digital and direct.

Don't give up too soon. 

Some dogs are found weeks or even months after going missing. Keep your DogLost listing active, continue checking with local pounds and rescues regularly and refresh your posters.

Once your dog is safely home, take the opportunity to review what might have caused the escape and address it, whether that's a gap in fencing, a recall that needs work or a lead or harness that isn't secure enough. It's also worth double-checking your microchip registration details are fully up to date and considering adding an ID tag with your phone number, which is also a legal requirement in the UK.