Lost Animal Action Plan

We understand how stressful it is when your animal goes missing. The Bond Between 

Lost Animal Action Plan provides steps to take immediately, including search tips, online and physical posting locations, and resources for additional help. 

Are you a current The Bond Between FOSTER whose foster animal has gone missing?​ Call 952-373-1386 IMMEDIATELY for assistance!

IMPORTANT: 

Even friendly pets can become skittish when lost. Resist the urge to chase them. Chasing will only make them run further. Without pursuit, they're more likely to find a safe place nearby to hide. 

Immediate Actions to take when your pet is missing!

Scent Lure: 

• Dogs: Place their kennel, blankets, and your unwashed clothing (socks, gym clothes) outside. 

• Cats: Put catnip toys, their bed, or blankets outside. 

• Place a bowl of strong-smelling food (warm hot dogs, cat food) outside. 

• Create a scent trail by dragging a small amount of liquid smoke (available in most grocery stores near the steak sauce) in all directions from your home, extending about a fifth of a mile. 

Post Online: 

• Local Facebook Groups: Target your search by joining neighborhood and surrounding town Facebook groups. 

  • Lost Cats MN

  • Lost Dogs Minnesota

• Pet Amber Alert issues amber alerts to help spread the word rapidly about your lost dog, lost cat, or any type of lost pet.

• Nextdoor App: Utilize the Nextdoor app to connect with your community. 

• PetFBI: PetFBI connects to the Lost Dogs Minnesota Facebook group (and similar groups in other states). 

• Petco Love Lost: Report your lost pet on Petco Love Lost. 

• Pawboost: Create a lost pet listing on Pawboost. 

People to contact to report a dog as missing (if owned animal): Current foster animals with The Bond Between, please email lost@thebondbetween.org and call 952-373-1386 

• Local Sheriff 

• Local Police Department (sheriff and police sometimes share info but not always) 

• Microchip company 

Physical Signs and Flyers: The Bond Between Lost Animals Team will provide support to our current foster animals with this process. 

• Timing: Post signs and flyers within the first 24 hours. 

  
  

• Content: Use bright, eye-catching colors (neon is great) and include a clear photo of your pet and your phone number: LOST ANIMAL - CALL [Your Phone Number]. Covering the flyer with packing tape can help protect it from the weather. 

  
  

• Placement: 

  • Directly in front of your home and throughout your neighborhood. 

  • Intersections where streets converge. 

  • Stop signs (drivers have time to see them). 

  • Grocery store parking lot exits. 

• Distribution: 

  • Newspaper slots of your neighbors (if applicable). 

  • Local veterinary clinics. 

  • Pet stores. 

  • Pizza delivery places (drivers are often out in neighborhoods). 

  • USPS drivers. 

• Search Strategies: 

  • Silent Search: When searching, do not call your pet's name. This can frighten them. Instruct everyone helping you to remain quiet. 

  • Companion Animal: If you have another pet that your missing animal knows and likes, bring them along on your search. 

  • Check Sheltered Areas: Look in garages, under decks, window wells, under bushes, and any other sheltered areas where an animal might hide or become trapped. Ask your neighbors to check their properties as well. 

  • Security Cameras: Check your own security camera footage and ask your neighbors to review theirs (e.g., Ring doorbell footage). 

• Sighting or Recovery: 

  • Do Not Publicize Location: If you have a sighting, do not publicly share the exact location, as this can attract untrained individuals who may scare your pet further. 

  • High-Value Treats: Have high-value treats ready (rotisserie chicken, hot dogs, ground beef, hamburger/cheeseburger without onion). 

  • Remain Calm & Patient: If you see your pet, do not approach them directly. Sit or lie down at an angle, avoid direct eye contact, and pretend to eat the treats, tossing some in their direction. Let them come to you. This may take time, especially if they are frightened. Be patient. 

• Expert Assistance: 

• These organizations specialize in lost pet retrieval and have trained volunteers and specialized equipment: 

  • Lost K9 (Southeast suburbs) 

  • The Retrievers (Statewide, centered around the Twin Cities) 

• Other Resources:

  • The Retrievers: An all-volunteer team providing specialized tools, technology (like drones and traps), and expertise to successfully locate and rescue lost dogs.

  • Animal Humane Society: A leading regional animal welfare organization focused on saving vulnerable animals, engaging the community, and operating large-scale adoption and veterinary programs.

  • Petco Love: Petco Love Lost tips and resources.

  • Best Friends Animal Society: A national animal welfare organization shares tips to find lost animals.

  • Lost My Doggie: A service that creates and distributes free and paid "Amber Alerts" (emails, faxes, flyers, social media) to help pet owners quickly notify neighbors and local groups about a missing pet.

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Disclaimer: These are general recommendations. The Bond Between cannot be held responsible for, nor guarantee, your or your animal’s health or safety. Use caution and good judgment throughout the search process. Any advice from The Bond Between staff or volunteers should be considered in light of legality, safety, and reasonableness before being acted upon.

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​Have questions or a non emergency? Please reach out to lost@thebondbetween.org 

Are you a current The Bond Between FOSTER whose foster animal has gone missing?​

Call 952-373-1386 IMMEDIATELY for assistance!