Step 1: If you did not see your pet run off, search your home and talk to neighbors first

• As soon as you notice your pet is missing, start searching right away: every minute counts!
• Talk to your family members or housemates and ask where they last saw it
• Search your home carefully—under beds, in closets, dark places, small places, behind bulky furniture
• Shaking a food dish, treat jar or favorite toy will sometimes lure animals out of a hiding place
• If you are sure your pet is not in or around the home, take a slow ride or walk around and search the neighborhood surrounding your home. Bring along a recent photo of your pet and ask neighbors, postal carriers, and delivery drivers if they have seen him or her, and shoot them a picture of your pet if you have one. Check under porches and shrubs, and ask neighbors to check in sheds and garages in case your pet was accidentally locked in.

Step 2: Make phone calls & check your local shelters and municipal pounds

• Calls should be made to the local animal control agencies, veterinary clinics, shelters, municipal pounds, and rescue groups in your area. One of them may already have your pet in custody
• If your pet has a microchip, inform people about it
• Check in with shelters daily — and pay these visits in person with photos of your pet to distribute to shelter staff. If there are no shelters close to your home, notify your local police department. It’s important for owners who have lost their pets to check the municipal pound daily as new animals are brought in at all hours of each day. If you think you might have found your pet online, PLEASE go to see them in person. Bring proof of ownership with you just in case the pet you saw online is yours.

Step 3: Scour the Internet / Network on Social Media

• Be sure to share the news with your social media networks. We are happy for you to share your lost poster on our Facebook page as soon as possible
• Most Moroccan cities have local “Lost Pet” Facebook pages where they will post information about missing pets (ex. Animaux Perdus / Trouvés). Post on your Facebook city page, as well as other sites to ensure you are casting the widest net possible. Ask friends and family to spread the word to their contacts as well.

Step 4: Search also Buy & Sell Groups (e.g Facebook Marketplace or Avito)

• Some malicious person might want to sell your pet to get some money. If you find your pet advertised do not tell you are the owner but act as someone interested in buying. Arrange very urgently a meeting with them and go there with the police. Do not encourage them to re-offend.

Be wary of scams
When talking to a stranger who claims to have found your pet, ask him to describe the pet thoroughly before you offer any information. If he does not include the identifying characteristics you left out of the advertisements, he may not have your pet. Be particularly wary of people who insist that you give or wire them money for the return of your pet.

Step 5: Create a “Lost Dog” or “Lost Cat” Poster

• You’ll want to create a poster that will stand out and get noticed by people who may have seen your pet. Please be sure to tailor these posters to your pet
• Avoid putting misleading phrases on the poster: “very sweet” or “loves treats”. Your animal is in a new and strange environment and may not act as it normally would at home. You want to encourage people assisting you in the search to approach your pet appropriately. Example: If your dog is shy around strangers say “Shy! DO NOT CHASE”
• Repeated viewings of a consistent message are more likely to stick in people’s minds, so we recommend sticking with one design for your poster. People driving in cars typically don’t pay attention to signs. You have only five seconds to use five to seven words to get a message across. Most pet owners make the mistake of posting standard flyers (A4 white pieces of paper) instead of posters. Flyers are too small and very few people passing by notice them. People notice neon posters. Start with a big, bold headline that people can read from a distance, like “LOST DOG”
• Include a printed, recent photo of your pet and list the breed, sex, coloring, age, weight, any distinguishing features, and when and where he or she was last seen or lost
• Provide your name and two phone numbers: yours and a backup number
• Offer a reward to encourage people.

Step 6: Blanket the Neighborhood

Good places to post your flyers include parks where people walk their dogs, pet supply stores, pet grooming shops, and local veterinarians. Various commercial establishments like local grocery stores, malls, gas stations, cafes, and restaurants are other good high-traffic options.

Step 7: Whatever you do, Don’t Give Up!

• This one is important! Remember that 93% of dogs lost are successfully recovered, don’t give up hope that your dog will also be recovered.
• When you find your pet, remove any posters and website postings. Also contact shelters, police stations, and neighbors to let them know your pet has been found.