🚨Lost Paw Emergency Checklist - Free Printable Guide

Lost Pet Emergency Checklist

Don't panic. Stay organized. Follow this step-by-step checklist to find your missing pet fast.

💡 Pro Tip: Print this checklist and keep it with your pet's documents. Bookmark this page on your phone for quick access in an emergency. Better yet, prevent the panic by equipping your pet with a GPS tracker for instant location updates!

🚨 IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (First 30 Minutes)

Time is critical. Act fast!

☐ Check Your GPS Tracker

If your pet wears a GPS tracker, open the app immediately and locate them. This is your fastest route to recovery!

☐ Search Your Home Thoroughly

  • Check under beds, in closets, behind furniture
  • Look in basements, attics, garages
  • Check inside appliances (dryers, dishwashers)
  • Search outdoor hiding spots (bushes, sheds, under decks)
  • Look up in trees (cats often climb but can't get down)

☐ Search Your Yard and Immediate Area

  • Walk around calling your pet's name
  • Bring treats or their favorite toy
  • Check with neighbors immediately
  • Ask neighbors to check their garages and sheds

☐ Alert Your Household

  • Tell everyone in your home
  • Assign search areas to family members
  • Keep one person at home in case pet returns

📞 FIRST HOUR CONTACTS

☐ Call Local Animal Shelters

Shelter Name: _________________ Phone: _________________

Shelter Name: _________________ Phone: _________________

Shelter Name: _________________ Phone: _________________

☐ Call Veterinary Clinics

Vet Name: _________________ Phone: _________________

Emergency Vet: _________________ Phone: _________________

☐ Contact Animal Control

Phone: _________________ Case #: _________________

☐ Call Microchip Registry

Registry: _________________ Chip #: _________________

Verify your contact information is current!

📱 FIRST 24 HOURS - SPREAD THE WORD

☐ Create Lost Pet Flyer

Include on your flyer:

  • Large, clear photo of your pet
  • Pet's name, breed, color, size
  • Distinctive markings or features
  • Where and when last seen
  • Your contact phone number
  • "REWARD" if offering (don't specify amount)
  • "DO NOT CHASE" if pet is skittish

☐ Post Flyers in These Locations

  • Intersections near where pet went missing
  • Veterinary clinics and pet stores
  • Community centers and libraries
  • Dog parks and walking trails
  • Gas stations and convenience stores
  • Grocery stores and coffee shops

☐ Post on Social Media

  • Your personal Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
  • Local lost pet Facebook groups
  • Nextdoor app
  • Craigslist lost and found
  • PawBoost, Finding Rover, Petco Love Lost
  • Local community groups

☐ File Official Reports

  • Animal control lost pet report
  • Police report (if pet was stolen)
  • Microchip registry alert
  • Local lost pet databases

🔍 ONGOING SEARCH STRATEGY

☐ Daily Actions

  • Visit local shelters in person (don't just call)
  • Check online shelter listings and adoption sites
  • Search at dawn and dusk when pets are most active
  • Walk usual routes calling pet's name
  • Monitor social media for sightings
  • Follow up on all leads immediately

☐ Leave Familiar Items Outside

  • Pet's bed or favorite blanket
  • Your worn clothing (unwashed)
  • Litter box (for cats)
  • Food and water

☐ Expand Search Radius

  • Dogs can travel 5-10 miles per day
  • Cats usually stay within 5-block radius
  • Post flyers in wider area
  • Alert shelters in neighboring towns

🐱 SPECIAL TIPS FOR CATS

☐ Cats Often Hide Close to Home

  • Search within 5-house radius thoroughly
  • Check under porches and decks
  • Look in drainage pipes and culverts
  • Search dense bushes and ivy
  • Check up in trees

☐ Search at Night

  • Use flashlight - eyes will reflect light
  • Cats are more active after dark
  • Search when neighborhood is quiet

☐ Use Food to Lure

  • Leave smelly food outside (tuna, sardines)
  • Set humane trap with food
  • Check trap every 2 hours

🐕 SPECIAL TIPS FOR DOGS

☐ Dogs Travel Farther

  • Expand search area quickly
  • Check parks, trails, wooded areas
  • Alert joggers, walkers, mail carriers

☐ Use Familiar Sounds

  • Shake treat bag
  • Squeak favorite toy
  • Play recordings of your voice
  • Use car horn if dog associates it with rides

☐ Don't Chase

  • If you spot your dog, sit down
  • Call calmly and wait for them to approach
  • Running toward them may scare them away

📋 IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO HAVE READY

Fill this out NOW and keep with this checklist:

Pet's Name: _________________________________

Species/Breed: _________________________________

Color/Markings: _________________________________

Age: _________ Weight: _________ Sex: _________

Microchip #: _________________________________

Microchip Registry: _________________________________

Registry Phone: _________________________________

GPS Tracker Info: _________________________________

Veterinarian: _________________________________

Vet Phone: _________________________________

Special Medical Needs: _________________________________

Medications: _________________________________

❌ WHAT NOT TO DO

  • Don't wait - Start searching immediately
  • Don't chase - You'll scare them farther away
  • Don't give up - Pets are found weeks or months later
  • Don't ignore leads - Follow up on every sighting
  • Don't forget to eat/sleep - Take care of yourself too

✅ PREVENTION: NEVER GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN

Invest in a GPS Tracker Today

The #1 way to prevent the panic of a lost pet is to equip them with a GPS tracker. If they go missing, you'll find them in minutes instead of days.

Our GPS trackers offer:

  • Real-time location updates to your phone
  • Waterproof, lightweight design
  • Safe zone alerts when pet leaves designated areas
  • Works for both dogs and cats
  • Free U.S. shipping

Shop GPS Trackers →

Other Prevention Tips

  • Always use collar with ID tags
  • Keep microchip information current
  • Secure fences and gates
  • Train recall commands
  • Spay or neuter to reduce roaming
  • Take clear, recent photos regularly

📚 Additional Resources

💛 Remember: Thousands of pets are reunited with their families every year. Stay hopeful, stay organized, and don't give up. Your pet needs you to stay strong and focused.

Print this checklist and keep it accessible. Share it with other pet owners. Together, we can bring more pets home safely.

Protect Your Pet with GPS Tracking →