They slip out of the harness, a gate opens, a firecracker goes off. It happens in a second, and what you do in the next hour is what has the greatest impact on how it ends.
The first sixty minutes
- Stay where they were lost. The urge is to run, but many dogs return to the point where they became separated. If you are not there, you miss the best opportunity.
- Do not run after them. A frightened dog interprets the chase as a threat and speeds up. If you see them, crouch down, turn sideways, and call them in a cheerful voice, even step away a little: many dogs will follow someone who is leaving.
- Leave something with your scent. A piece of your worn clothing and a bowl of water at the exact spot where you lost them. It is one of the most effective things you can do, and almost no one does it.
- Send someone home. If you are nearby, have someone wait at the front door. Many return on their own.
- Ask around right there. Neighbors, bars, shops, people walking other dogs. Those who live in the area will notice.
Who should you notify?
- Local Police of the municipality, as they are usually the ones who pick up stray animals.
- Civil Guard if it is a rural area or roadside.
- Animal shelters and municipal dog pounds in your area and neighboring ones.
- Nearby veterinary clinics. If someone finds them, that is where they will take them to read the chip.
- Local Facebook groups for lost animals. They work surprisingly well. Post a clear photo, the area, and the time.
The three things you should have beforehand
1. The microchip, with up-to-date information
In Spain, microchipping is mandatory for dogs, and it is what proves the animal is yours. But it has a major flaw that almost everyone overlooks: if you changed your phone or address and did not update it in the registry, the chip is useless. Whoever reads it will call a number that no longer exists.
Check today that your information is correct in your community's animal identification registry. It is free and takes five minutes.
2. A tag with your phone number
Only a veterinarian or the police can read the microchip with a reader. Anyone can read the tag. A neighbor who finds the dog on the street can call you in the first minute, without moving from where they are.
Put your mobile number on it, and nothing else. The dog's name or your address is not necessary.
3. A tracker, knowing which one
It is important to understand the difference here, because they are sold as if they were the same, and they are not:
- Bluetooth trackers (the AirTag type). They do not have GPS: they are detected through the phones of other people passing nearby. In the city, they work very well because there are phones everywhere. In the countryside, with no one around, they do not give a signal.
- GPS trackers with a SIM card. They have their own connection and provide the location anywhere with mobile coverage. They cost more and usually have a monthly fee, but they are useful if you go into the mountains.
If your dog moves around the city, the Bluetooth one is more than enough. If you go into the countryside, mountains, or beach, you need GPS.
Preventing what can be prevented
- Check the harness. Many escapes are due to a loose harness that they slip out of by backing up. It must fit snugly: two fingers between the strap and the body, no more.
- Fireworks and storms. They are the number one cause of escapes. On those days, always use a leash, keep windows closed, and stay in a quiet place inside the house.
- Have a recent photo of their whole body in good lighting, saved on your phone. The day you need it, you will not have the presence of mind to look for it.
In our identification and trackers section, you will find engravable tags and collars compatible with trackers, and in dog walking, escape-proof harnesses with double adjustment. Free shipping throughout Spain.
If you prefer to get everything at once, in the Walking, Travel and Safety Pack, you can choose what you need from harnesses, leashes, trackers, and carriers.