PG PUP
Keeping Pets and People Together
LOST AND FOUND PETS
LOST PETS
IMPORTANT: DO NOT CHASE OR CALL THE MISSING PET
Your pet is already in a stressful situation, and more loud sounds, even familiar sounds like their name coming from someone they love, risk stressing them out further.
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DO
MOVE SLOWLY AND SPEAK SOFTLY TO SCARED DOGS
Scared pets cannot be rushed and will can bite or bolt if anything startles them.
LET THEM COME TO YOU
Allow the pet to move at a pace that feels safe and comfortable to them.
MIND YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Be mindful of roads or potential hazards nearby and be careful not to scare them into the road. This is another reason chasing the dog is dangerous. You never know where they will run.
BRING A SLIP LEAD
Collars can fall off or be difficult to grab when the dog is scared - a slip lead offers you more flexibility.
BRING TASTY, SMELLY TREATS
Get the pet interested and more willing to approach you.
DON'T
DO NOT CHASE OR CALL OUT TO THE MISSING DOG
They are already in a stressful situation, and loud sounds, even familiar sounds like their name, risk stressing them out further.
DO NOT LUNGE OR GRAB AT THE DOG
Sudden movements could scare them, and even a dog who's normally friendly may bite out of fear.
DO NOT RUN AFTER THE DOG
Giving chase will make them run away. If it’s a playful dog, you could try running AWAY from them so that they might give chase. Alternatively, try sitting or laying down or even just turning so your side is facing them. You want to do everything you can to convey you are not a threat. Even if it’s your dog and they know you, in a stressful situation they might not see you as their owner, but simply a scary person trying to grab them.
DO NOT SNEAK UP ON THE DOG
If you scare them they could bite or bolt. Make a small noise like clearing your throat to make them aware that you are there.
“The things that seem intuitive to you are the exact opposite of what actually works to bring your pet home [...] You’re panicking. You’re going to run out there and send search parties out and scream your dog’s name and chase it — and chasing is the worst thing you can do. People have big hearts and think they’re helping, but they’re not.”
- Denise Harris, co-founder of Ellicott City-based nonprofit Lost Animal Resource Group
LOCAL FACEBOOK GROUPS FOR LOST PETS
FOUND PETS
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CHECK IF YOU HAVE A PUBLIC MICROCHIP SCANNING STATION NEARBY!
If the pet as a microchip and that chip has been registered, you will have the owner's contact information! There are currently only a few of these stations in PG County, but we hope to see more in the future.
College Park
Davis Hall Public Works facility on 51st Ave.
College Park
Behind the City Hall building along Yale Avenue.
Berwyn Heights
In front of Berwyn Heights Town Center at 8603 57th Ave
