Animal Escaped

Purpose

Start here if you have never had to search for a dog that got loose: speed and calm both matter, and the steps below scale from a dog still inside the fence line to a dog that has left the property entirely. Work through the minor escape steps first, and only shift into the major escape steps once the dog is confirmed outside the fencing.

At a Glance

• Call out "Loose Dog!" to nearby staff and over the walkie talkies the moment you see it, minor escape or major.
• Every staff member responds to a loose dog call regardless of what they were doing, except Attendants actively supervising a Daycare yard.
• Keep at least one set of eyes on the dog at all times.
• Do not chase. Contain the dog into a smaller space, or call it to you instead.
• If the dog has shown reactivity or aggression, keep a safe distance while still working to contain it.

Immediate Actions

1. Call out "Loose Dog!" immediately, on the walkie talkies and to anyone nearby.
2. Close off any potential escape routes as you move.
3. Attempt to confine the dog to a smaller, easier space or call it to you. Do not chase it.
4. If the dog is outside the fence line (a major escape), secure every other pet on site first, then send every available person, including extra front office staff, out to search.

Follow-Up Steps

• Call in staff who are not scheduled that day and ask them to help search.
• Reach the dog's owner and their emergency contact right away. They know the dog's habits and which family member or friend it might run to, and they should be part of the search from the start.
• Send someone to nearby businesses, especially veterinary offices, with a description of the dog and a flyer made up on the spot.
• Post flyers around the area, post office, grocery store, anywhere a lot of people pass through, and share the description in local neighborhood groups.
• Canine behavior specialists say most dogs that run off stay within about three miles, so concentrate the search there first.
• Dogs tend to circle back to where they left from looking for food and water, so leave the dog's bedding and food somewhere accessible near the facility overnight in case it returns after hours.

Who to Ask

The owner or their emergency contact will usually join the search once they can get there, and they will have their own instincts about where to look. Support what they want to do rather than steering the search yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What separates a minor escape from a major one?

Fencing. A dog still inside the fence line is a minor escape; a dog outside the fencing is a major one. Treat every loose dog call the same way at first, eyes on the dog and routes closed, and only shift into the major escape steps once you have confirmed the dog is off the property.

No effort is too great here. Do whatever is necessary to get the dog back as fast as possible and cut the risk of it being harmed.