K9-RSQ: Lost Dog Posters
Distributing “Lost Dog Posters” can be highly effective in helping reunite you with your missing dog.
Posters for your local area, noticeboards, and social media.
You can create lost dog posters to distribute around your local area, on shop/post office noticeboards and on social media, for example, on Facebook…
Posters can play a vital role in generating valuable information from the public. Most people in the area your dog went missing won’t even be aware there is a missing dog unless you tell them.
You can ask for friends and volunteers to help post these around the area where your dog was lost, and later in the areas your dog may have moved to in time.
The key elements of an effective Lost Dog Poster covered below:
Captivating Header:
We recommend using the Headline “Can You Help?” rather than “Lost Dog” or “Missing Dog” (you can add these lines below the main header) – see the example below…
Recent Statistics have shown that “asking people for help”, in the poster Header, in missing people or animal cases, is far more effective at generating engagement than by using “Missing” or “Lost”. By asking the reader (of the poster) for their help is far more likely to grab their attention and read on…
The Location Last Seen:
It’s important to mention the location and/or postcode, for the last place you saw your dog before it went missing. also give a description in one short line of the area, for example, “Missing from Chelsea Park S11”
It is also advisable to include the line “Confirmed Sightings in this Area” if that is the case and you are expanding the poster area. This is especially the case if your dog is confirmed to be on the move.
For example, if your dog was lost in the “S8” postcode as noted on your poster but has since been confirmed to have been in the “S11” postcode, it makes sense to tell the reader that the dog has been confirmed to be now in “This Area”. This makes people far more likely to pay attention and “think about it” with more consideration.
Name and Telephone Number:
Of course, you will need to include any telephone numbers where the public can contact you with any information as well as your name and those of any friends or family if you add more than one number.
Important Detail:
We strongly advise that your poster contains the following information:
“Take photo, note time and location, DO NOT shout or chase!”
“Any sightings please contact us ASAP. PLEASE CALL John on 07123 456 789”
Photograph of Your Dog:
Include a recent clear photograph of your furry friend if possible.
Further steps you can take:
Reach out to local supermarkets, shops, libraries, and newsagents to see if you can display your lost dog poster on their noticeboards. You can also connect with local dog walkers, asking them to stay alert for any signs of your dog and to notify you if they spot anything.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram offer free and powerful tools to spread the word. Share clear photos, a detailed description, and your contact information so friends, followers, and the community can help in your search.
There are also Facebook groups dedicated to reuniting lost dogs with their owners – be sure to post there and browse for any dogs that match your description.
Your Post on Social Media:
This should contain the core information as outlined above for your poster.
Location of the point where your dog went missing.
Location of the most recent confirmed sightings.
How people can contact you.
Importantly ask people not to post sightings on the Facebook or social media post, rather to contact you or K9-RSQ (or any other team that may be assisting) IN PRIVATE.
“Take photo, note time and location, note direction of travel. DO NOT shout or chase!”
“Any sightings please contact us ASAP. PLEASE CALL John on 07123 456 789, or message me in private here”.
We advise that sightings are not shared in public on social media. This reduces the risk of people heading to the sighting area (with the best intentions) and possibly scaring the dog to move on.
Example Facebook post:
!! Sightings Only Required !!
Missing in the Rivelin area of Sheffield S6 on 09/09/2024
DO NOT Shout or chase
DO Contact John Smith on 07123 456789 immediately with any
info and please try to snap a picture and note direction of travel
Please DO NOT post sightings on here as this may jeopardise our search efforts
@K9-RSQ now assisting
Scammers don’t waste your time.
