Start with a clear last known location
If your dog is missing, begin by recording where and when someone last saw them, gathering a recent photograph, and letting nearby people know who to contact. A clear, organized response is more useful than sending everyone in different directions without a shared plan.
Write down the street, nearest landmark, time, and direction of travel. Distinguish a confirmed sighting from a guess. If a neighbor thinks they saw a similar dog, record that separately until you have details or a photograph. Around Dover and New Philadelphia, roads, wooded edges, and open fields can lead to very different search decisions.
Gather details people can actually use
Choose a recent, clear photo showing your dog's color, markings, and overall shape. Note their size, collar or harness, and any distinctive features. If the dog has identification or a microchip, check that the contact information connected to it is current.
Use one contact person to collect sightings. Ask people to report the exact time and location, which direction the dog was moving, and whether they have a photo. Tell helpers about your dog's temperament and avoid encouraging a crowd to chase a frightened animal. Keep yourself and other people out of traffic and off property you do not have permission to enter.
Contact local animal resources
Report your missing dog to local animal control and contact shelters and veterinary offices serving your area. Ask how to submit a missing-pet report and check whether a matching dog has been brought in. Do not assume every organization shares the same intake records.
Check current contact details rather than relying on an old social media post or directory listing. Continue checking found-animal reports while the search is underway.
Keep one useful sighting record
A shared note or simple map helps everyone work from the same information. Record who reported each sighting and when it happened. Keep older reports for context, but clearly mark the most recent reliable location.
Before calling a search service, have your dog's photo, the most recent reliable location, the time last seen, and any known access restrictions ready. Tell us about previous search activity, nearby roads, livestock, or places that may be unsafe to approach. These details help us discuss what kind of search might be practical.
When a drone search might help
A drone can provide another view of accessible terrain, and a thermal camera can highlight heat signatures when the animal is visible to the sensor. It is not a way to see through thick foliage, a building, or other solid obstacles. A heat signature also needs interpretation; it is not automatically a missing dog.
A drone search complements local reporting and ground searches; it does not replace them or guarantee recovery. Our pet search page explains current pricing and travel terms.
Travel and coverage
We travel beyond 30 miles. The first 30 driving miles from our Dover, Ohio base are included in the search price. If you’re farther away, give us a call to discuss availability and travel costs. Each mile beyond the included 30 costs $2, calculated using the driving distance to your location. This single charge covers the trip there and back.
If you’re 45 driving miles away, the total travel charge is $30.
We also serve locations outside this circle. The circle shows distance in a straight line. Travel charges are based on driving distance. Contact us to confirm coverage for your location.
Need search assistance?
Need help finding a missing pet? Tell us the last known location and what you have seen so we can discuss a practical search plan.