| The following dogs and cats were rescued by friends and neighbors of River City Pet Watch. We are listing them as a courtesy in hopes that the task of finding them a home is expedited. If you have found or lost a dog or cat, send us a picture and a little information. We will be happy to list them here.f |
Male 1-1.5 year old Black Lab mix. Fully vaccinated & neutered. 35-40lbs. Great on a leash, is being crate-trained, plays extremely well with other dogs/pets, does not have an ounce of aggression in him. His back leg was broken at some point and has healed in a way which causes a slight limp. The vet does not think he is in pain and most likely will not cause any problems for him. Buddy was rescued in Harbor Town about a month ago and is currently being boarded at the Downtown Animal Hospital because all of the shelters and rescue groups are full. -- Rescued by Kerry |
| © Copyright 2004-2008 River City Pet Watch. All rights reserved. |
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| Buddy |
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| ADOPTED!! Thanks to all of Kerry's hard work, Buddy has found his forever home. |
| Grace is a 41 pound lab mix. She was found lost and alone in Cordova with concrete burns on the pads of her paws. She's very sweet natured and is probably about 8 years old, according to the vet. Grace is up to date on all her shots (October). She tested negative for heartworm and is currently on heartworm preventative. She sits, lays down and comes when called. Please contact us if anyone can provide this sweet, old girl with a home. -- Rescued by Jane & Betsy |
| Grace |
Losing a dog can be devastating. A person’s first reaction is usually fear, confusion and panic. However, with a good plan in place,
looking for a lost dog can be less stressful and more successful. There are a few simple points to consider when looking for a lost dog:
1) If you organize a group of people to look for the dog, use all safety precautions so that the searchers do not become lost as well. Stay
in touch using cell phones or hand held radios. The radios can be purchased for a nominal fee at any store that sells outdoor
equipment. Radios will work in areas that cell phones may not, however, they have a limited range so be sure that a chain of people can
relay messages over distance. Also, establish radio protocol so that one person does not tie up the frequency preventing
communication with others. Communication is essential to let the other searchers know what is going on, if the search is being
suspended, or the dog has been found. Because people feel safer and calmer if they know what is going on, this will allow the
searchers to do a better job.
Be sure that searchers wear the appropriate clothing, (long pants and long sleeves), hats, and substantial footwear. They should have a
snack, water and a flashlight. Flashlights are necessary during the day to check dark places. Each searcher should have a small bowl
and water for the dog, as well as canned cat food with the strongest aroma, (or a similar treat) to lure the dog. Small cans of cat food
work well because they can be carried easily and kept fresh. Searchers should always work in pairs for their own safety, and in the event
two people are needed when the dog is found. A meeting area and time should be established in case communications break down.
No one should leave until all are accounted for.
2) A dog that is frightened will bolt in any direction, but usually to the least noisy, darkest area. Given the choice of an open field or
woods, the dog will go for the woods. If the dog is lost in the city or suburbs, the dog will look for a dark, quite spot to hide after it has run
to exhaustion. Therefore, try to estimate how far the dog will run (this varies with the dog’s size and condition) and add a mile to that. On
a map of the area mark where you last saw the dog as the center of a circle and draw a perimeter around that point, based on the
furthest point where the dog could be. The circle will encompass the area to start looking for the dog. If you saw the dog run, you can
focus in that direction. Be sure to check small dark areas: under porches, stairs, garages, sheds, etc. If you have a number of people
helping to look, have some start at the perimeter of the circle and some from the center. Be sure to look for the dog, never assume that
the dog will come when called.
3) If a dog runs away, they usually run into the wind. That means that the wind will be blowing toward the dog, into the dog's face. Check
with a local airport to see what the wind direction was when the dog ran away. Then start looking into the wind from the point where the
dog was last seen. Dogs who wander away will usually meander along unless they find something to chase or something that
interests them. This means that the search area will be smaller. If searching in the woods or a park, look for a game trail and look for
fresh dog tracks to see if the dog went that way. If you do find tracks, you will not be able to tell for certain if they are from your dog, so do
not give up searching the rest of the area. If you are searching in an urban or suburban area, listen carefully if neighborhood dogs are
barking. Often they will bark at a stray dog. If you hear a lot of barking in one direction, check that area first.
4) When searching for a dog, travel slowly and make frequent five minute-long stops. Many people will drive around in a vehicle, calling
to the dog. Unless the dog is within a few seconds of your location, he will not be able to find you if you move too quickly. Keep in mind
that a dog can hear you calling from quite a distance away. They need time to determine the direction of the sound and then get to it.
Wind and other environmental elements can distort the direction of sound (tall buildings, large hills, etc.) making it difficult for the dog to
find the source of the sound. By stopping and continuing to call for about five minutes, the dog will have time to find you.
5) When you sight the dog, do not act excited and/or run toward the dog. Sit down or stand still and let the dog approach you, even if it is
your dog. Sometimes a dog can become so frightened, hurt or weary that they may not think straight. Their survival instincts may take
over, making them more cautious than they would be at home. Depending upon the direction of the wind, you could be downwind and
the dog may not recognize you right away. Give the dog time to feel safe. Running to the dog may make him run away from you and lose
what little trust in humans that he has left. If you feel it will work, you can, at a distance, slowly move so that you are upwind of the dog,
and then open the can of cat food, but still let the dog come to you. When the dog comes to you do not try to grab the dog. Let the dog
stay there and relax. Slowly pet the dog until you can attach a leash without frightening the dog. If the dog does not want to be caught, you
will most likely not be able to grab the dog fast enough to catch him, even if he is next to you. Dogs are about 500 times faster than
humans.
6) If the dog does not approach you, do not give up. Stay in that area and/or return to that area. You can leave food etc. but do not try to
catch the dog.
7) If you leave food for the dog, do not assume that because the food was eaten that it was eaten by the dog. Other critters may eat the
food, so continue to search the area. If you can, spread sand around any food that you leave so that you can check for footprints to
determine if a dog ate the food. If sand is not available, loose soil will work as well.
8) If you have to search for the dog over a period of time, keep a log of the weather and the location of water sources. The dog will
generally head into the wind and seek water.
9) Never forget to advertise. Use every means possible to let the people in the area know that there is a lost dog. Always have an up-to-
date photo of your dog. If the dog is a breed that looks like others in the breed, a similar picture will do. Remember, the average pet lover
will not notice the fine differences between your dog and others of the same breed. So do not panic if you do not have a recent photo. Be
sure to expand the area that you advertise to at least five miles from the point where you last saw your dog.
10) Lastly, never give up. Dogs have been found months after they disappear.
looking for a lost dog can be less stressful and more successful. There are a few simple points to consider when looking for a lost dog:
1) If you organize a group of people to look for the dog, use all safety precautions so that the searchers do not become lost as well. Stay
in touch using cell phones or hand held radios. The radios can be purchased for a nominal fee at any store that sells outdoor
equipment. Radios will work in areas that cell phones may not, however, they have a limited range so be sure that a chain of people can
relay messages over distance. Also, establish radio protocol so that one person does not tie up the frequency preventing
communication with others. Communication is essential to let the other searchers know what is going on, if the search is being
suspended, or the dog has been found. Because people feel safer and calmer if they know what is going on, this will allow the
searchers to do a better job.
Be sure that searchers wear the appropriate clothing, (long pants and long sleeves), hats, and substantial footwear. They should have a
snack, water and a flashlight. Flashlights are necessary during the day to check dark places. Each searcher should have a small bowl
and water for the dog, as well as canned cat food with the strongest aroma, (or a similar treat) to lure the dog. Small cans of cat food
work well because they can be carried easily and kept fresh. Searchers should always work in pairs for their own safety, and in the event
two people are needed when the dog is found. A meeting area and time should be established in case communications break down.
No one should leave until all are accounted for.
2) A dog that is frightened will bolt in any direction, but usually to the least noisy, darkest area. Given the choice of an open field or
woods, the dog will go for the woods. If the dog is lost in the city or suburbs, the dog will look for a dark, quite spot to hide after it has run
to exhaustion. Therefore, try to estimate how far the dog will run (this varies with the dog’s size and condition) and add a mile to that. On
a map of the area mark where you last saw the dog as the center of a circle and draw a perimeter around that point, based on the
furthest point where the dog could be. The circle will encompass the area to start looking for the dog. If you saw the dog run, you can
focus in that direction. Be sure to check small dark areas: under porches, stairs, garages, sheds, etc. If you have a number of people
helping to look, have some start at the perimeter of the circle and some from the center. Be sure to look for the dog, never assume that
the dog will come when called.
3) If a dog runs away, they usually run into the wind. That means that the wind will be blowing toward the dog, into the dog's face. Check
with a local airport to see what the wind direction was when the dog ran away. Then start looking into the wind from the point where the
dog was last seen. Dogs who wander away will usually meander along unless they find something to chase or something that
interests them. This means that the search area will be smaller. If searching in the woods or a park, look for a game trail and look for
fresh dog tracks to see if the dog went that way. If you do find tracks, you will not be able to tell for certain if they are from your dog, so do
not give up searching the rest of the area. If you are searching in an urban or suburban area, listen carefully if neighborhood dogs are
barking. Often they will bark at a stray dog. If you hear a lot of barking in one direction, check that area first.
4) When searching for a dog, travel slowly and make frequent five minute-long stops. Many people will drive around in a vehicle, calling
to the dog. Unless the dog is within a few seconds of your location, he will not be able to find you if you move too quickly. Keep in mind
that a dog can hear you calling from quite a distance away. They need time to determine the direction of the sound and then get to it.
Wind and other environmental elements can distort the direction of sound (tall buildings, large hills, etc.) making it difficult for the dog to
find the source of the sound. By stopping and continuing to call for about five minutes, the dog will have time to find you.
5) When you sight the dog, do not act excited and/or run toward the dog. Sit down or stand still and let the dog approach you, even if it is
your dog. Sometimes a dog can become so frightened, hurt or weary that they may not think straight. Their survival instincts may take
over, making them more cautious than they would be at home. Depending upon the direction of the wind, you could be downwind and
the dog may not recognize you right away. Give the dog time to feel safe. Running to the dog may make him run away from you and lose
what little trust in humans that he has left. If you feel it will work, you can, at a distance, slowly move so that you are upwind of the dog,
and then open the can of cat food, but still let the dog come to you. When the dog comes to you do not try to grab the dog. Let the dog
stay there and relax. Slowly pet the dog until you can attach a leash without frightening the dog. If the dog does not want to be caught, you
will most likely not be able to grab the dog fast enough to catch him, even if he is next to you. Dogs are about 500 times faster than
humans.
6) If the dog does not approach you, do not give up. Stay in that area and/or return to that area. You can leave food etc. but do not try to
catch the dog.
7) If you leave food for the dog, do not assume that because the food was eaten that it was eaten by the dog. Other critters may eat the
food, so continue to search the area. If you can, spread sand around any food that you leave so that you can check for footprints to
determine if a dog ate the food. If sand is not available, loose soil will work as well.
8) If you have to search for the dog over a period of time, keep a log of the weather and the location of water sources. The dog will
generally head into the wind and seek water.
9) Never forget to advertise. Use every means possible to let the people in the area know that there is a lost dog. Always have an up-to-
date photo of your dog. If the dog is a breed that looks like others in the breed, a similar picture will do. Remember, the average pet lover
will not notice the fine differences between your dog and others of the same breed. So do not panic if you do not have a recent photo. Be
sure to expand the area that you advertise to at least five miles from the point where you last saw your dog.
10) Lastly, never give up. Dogs have been found months after they disappear.
| Finding a Lost Dog by Susan Bulanda Canine & Feline Ethologist |