What must a good lost dog notice include?
A clear, recent photo, the dog's name, the place and date it went missing, the breed or a short description, distinguishing marks and your phone number. A big “MISSING” at the top and, if you're offering one, a mention of a reward. The more specific it is, the easier it is for someone to place the dog they glimpsed nearby.
The photo does the most work. Pick a sharp one showing both the body and the face, ideally from the last few weeks. Add distinguishing marks that don't show in the photo: a scar, the collar colour, the way it moves.
Give one reliable phone number that you answer. Don't put your exact home address, since it isn't needed to reach you and needlessly reveals where you live.
A ready-made notice you can copy
Here's a template you just fill in. Keep the sentences short and concrete, because people read these on the move, at a bus stop or scrolling their phone.
MISSING DOG. Name: … . Breed or description: … . Distinguishing marks: … . Went missing on … near … . He is (nervous / friendly). Please don't chase him, he may be frightened. Have you seen him? Call: … . A reward is offered for help finding him.
Add a line that genuinely helps the effort: “The dog may be frightened, please don't chase him, just call.” That stops a well-meaning passer-by from spooking the dog by trying to grab him on their own.
Where should you post it so it works?
Start with local and neighbourhood Facebook groups, then ring round nearby shelters, vet practices and the local warden. Put flyers on lampposts, bus stops and in shops within the area it went missing. The faster and wider you go, the better the chance someone recognises the dog.
Add a report to the lost-pets wall too. It's a public place where people in your area look for and report found animals, and it kicks off an automatic notice, so your post reaches more people than just the neighbours.
For a calmer day, it's worth planning ahead: a dog wearing a QR tag shortens all of this, because a finder rings you straight away, before a poster even exists. If you're searching right now, see our piece on what to do in the first few hours.