Why Posters Are One of the Most Powerful Tools When Your Dog Goes Missing
- Julie Bellani
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 5
When your dog goes missing, your instincts might tell you to run around calling their name or post on every Facebook group you can find, and while those are helpful steps, one of the most effective actions you can take is getting physical posters up in the area as soon as possible.
Why Posters Work
Unlike online posts, posters are a visual cue that can’t be ignored or buried in an online feed. They reach people who might not be on social media: local residents, delivery drivers, dog walkers, shopkeepers, and passersby. A well-placed poster can lead to a vital sighting or the dog being safely returned.
Many successful reunions facilitated by the Lost Dog Tracking Network occurred because someone saw a poster and knew who to contact.
Get 50 Posters Printed for Free
Thanks to Doxdirect, you can now print your first 50 lost dog posters for free. This can make all the difference in getting fast visibility in the local area.
Print Your Free Posters via Doxdirect
What to Include on a Lost Dog Poster:
A clear, well-designed poster can determine whether someone stops to read it. Here’s what you should always include:
A clear, recent photo of your dog
Breed, colour, and any distinguishing features
Where and when they were last seen
A contact number in bold
A note saying “Do not chase or call – please report sightings only” if your dog is nervous or in flight mode
Mention if your dog is on medication, deaf, or has health issues
We recommend using a large font, bold colours, and printing on A4 or A3 paper for maximum visibility.
A5 Fliers
We also recommend getting A5 fliers printed so you can hand those out to anyone you see or letter drop in the relevant areas. You can use the same format/template for these.
Use Our Tried-and-Tested Poster Template
To help you get started quickly, we’ve created a poster template that you can download and personalise. It’s designed to be attention-grabbing, informative, and easy to read. See here our template and ask us for an editable version.
Where to Put Your Posters
Lamp posts and noticeboards near where your dog went missing
Local parks, entrances to public footpaths, and dog-walking routes
Vets, pet shops, groomers, and dog-friendly cafés
Local schools and community centres
Petrol stations, delivery depots, and taxi ranks
If possible, put posters in plastic sleeves (Upside down) to protect them from rain and secure them with cable ties or heavy-duty tape.
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