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April 2021 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 13 What is Granite State Dog Recovery?
By Carolyn J. Phinney
“Lost Dog” – the two words that sends fear into any dog own- er’s world. The immediate fears that come into play; “are they ok?” “are they hurt?”, “will I be able to find them?” Its nothing anyone wants to experience but, no matter how cautious people are, it happens. Car accidents, doors not latching, a squirrel teased to hard and the next thing they know, they are missing their loving bundle of fur.
What do you do? Well, in New Hampshire, there is a spe- cial force that seems to be every where when it comes to a miss- ing dog. You see them on social media at least a couple times a week posting missing dogs in New Hampshire or, the best post, the reuniting of a lost pet with its loved one. Granite State Dog Re- covery is non-profit that has been around for the last 10 years. Not only are they experts in the ad- vice on what to do if your dog goes missing but they also help in any way they can in the recovery of the dog...at no cost. They are a team of 10 volunteers that love dogs, understand dogs, and have a sincere desire and drive to help them get back home safely. They spend tireless hours tracking the lost dog, putting humane traps out with food, and once caught, finding their owners or a new home if they do not have some- one to claim them. Last year, alone, they had 1,000 reunions. That’s 1,000 dogs that were lost back in their home with their hu- mans.
This year, they accomplished their 10-year goal and became a shelter as well as a dog recovery. The shelter provides for dogs that do not have a home to help them find one. It also provides a place for GSDR to house any dogs that they find while they wait for their owner. Before the shelter was created, GSDR would have to pay $125 a night for boarding for any dogs that were found, or they would have to beg for a shel- ter to hold the dog. This was on top of any vet fees the dog may need, or any food spent on them while trying to trap them. Find- ing a dog is costly...but losing one is more. Now that they have
their own shelter, they can use any donation funds for vet bills, food, toys, gas for traveling to new places to help the owners all while the dog is in a loving place while waiting to be loved on.
Dogs are animals. As silly as that statement may sound, peo- ple forget. Once lost, they go back to their animal instincts of fight or flight. That is why trying to track a dog that is lost can be- come difficult. If they are chased, they will run – even from their owner if they are hat frightened. That is where the humane traps come into play. Lost dogs travel more at night. Their instinct is to lay low during the day from pred- ators and look at night for food. That is when GSDR is usually out working. Doing everything in their power to bring a lost dog home.
GSDR works completely off of donations. They have not even received any grant money. They have created a wonderful safe space in their shelter and saved over 5,000 dogs over the years strictly by donations. Though monetary is always welcome,
their spring project is to expand their deck into the dog yards so they can walk the dogs right out to their yard. There are two yards. One for rescue waiting for evaluation or pick up and the other for the shelter dogs waiting for a home. If you would like to be more hands on, volunteering would be a gift. Also, donations that are appreciated are toys, blankets, and your help.
When asked what to do when you realize your dog is lost, GSDR referred to their website www.granitestatedogrecovery. com where you can find an ex- tensive number of resources on what to do to help bring Boomer home safely. Additionally, GSDR will also make a flyer and post it. Their Facebook following is over 178,000. This paper circula- tion is 10,000. This writer has to wonder, what would it look like if each one of those followers donated $5.00 to this incredible nonprofit that has serviced and continues to service the dogs and owners of New Hampshire, at no cost to either.
GRANITE STATE DOG RECOVERY LOST DOG QUICK ACTION PLAN
• Begin search immediately! Do not wait for your dog to come home! Do not assume your dog was STOLEN!
• Have your neighbors check their yard, under porches, barns garages, etc.
• Carry a Leash on your person during search & don't forget the treats
• Place a blanket/crate & an article of your clothing where your dog was last seen. Also set out some aromatic food in bowl near blanket.
• Check your bushes, garage, barn, under vehicles and other small den-like areas on your property.
• CallAnimalControlofficers,policedepartments,veterinarians,and animals shelters within a 20-mile radius.
• Create a simple Flyer w/large type and Print 250 copies to start. Print using black & white ink on neon paper. Post within a 2-mile radius of where your dog went missing. Provide a copy to police/shelters
& Animal Control.
• Post on Facebook, Craig’s list and other online site.
(Be sure to include a photo). Place an ad in the local newspapers
• Consider using http://www.findtoto.com for EMERGENCY PHONE ALERT for lost pets (Fee)
• Instruct every that is helping out NOT TO CALL or CHASE YOUR DOG. This will prolong your search. If they see your dog, sit, or lay down
(no eye contact) and gently toss treats to the side of the dog to lure your dog in.
For our more detail lost dog action plan, please visit our website at www.granitestatedogrecovery.com