*** Pending cleanup-formatting
The link for the Case Thread Generator is under “Announcements” in the Den. It includes information such as:
Dogs name
Breed
Nearest town-(This is the town the dog is missing in, or if it is a rural area it would be the closest town)
State
Date lost
Report sightings to-(This is the number they want public for signs/flyers. It should be the number best able to answer calls and texts most of the time)
Your name
Your role
Your retrievers email
Helping lost pets link (if they have it. This is a lost pet database that is searchable. If the family has completed a form on that site we can add a link to their post on that page. Most people haven’t done that).
Case synopsis-This very important. It is what will be posted publicly on the public Retrievers FB page.
In the synopsis:
-The first line is dog’s name, breed, color, etc, and the town and state. Then, in your words, you give a brief description of how the dog went missing etc. You can add please ignore the dog (you can use the dog’s name or just say him/her) , do not call out or chase, please just call the # listed with location and time of sighting, please check properties (esp. In cases of smaller dogs, ask to check window wells, ask people to quietly peek under decks and sheds, etc. … It is very helpful to read through some other CT’s in the Den to give you a good understanding of what this consists of, what kind of phrases are more eye-catching, etc. You can also do test CTG- be sure to say TEST- fake dog.
*** Please note; We do not use names on public platforms- please use Retrievers, family, mom, dad, Good Samaritan, rescue, etc. NO names 🙂
Case thread example: Daisy is an adult black Labrador Retriever missing in St Francis, MN. Daisy is new to her home and unfamiliar with the area. Daisy is very scared and running from people when she is seen. Please quietly check your properties: under decks, in garages, in window wells, anywhere a lost pup could tuck in. Please also check any security cameras you may have. Please do not call out to Daisy or follow or chase her. Please do call asap with any information, including as many details as possible. Daisy’s family is doing everything we have advised to bring her home safely. Please share this post!!
***VERY important info: For age,– use “young, adult or senior”. DO NOT state collar color, whether or not the dog is micro-chipped or not or spayed/neutered. Some of this causes people to find and keep the dog rather than turning it in, OR the defining info can be used as determining if it is the dog being seen. For example, if we are looking for a black lab with red collar and we get reports of a black lab with blue collar, we will know it is not the dog we are looking for.
-Then, list the name of anyone filling a supporting roles- if anyone is working the case with you.
-Hit submit.
-That then goes to your retrievers email. Copy the entire email and paste it as a comment on the dog’s thread in the den.
-Tag Mary MacCarthy. . Mary types up and posts her final version in the CT & on the Retrievers public page. Lisa adds the synopsis to the top of the dog’s thread.
-***Follow along with the public post of your cases. Either like or love comments. Answer questions with discretion. For example, there are often questions about where a dog is specifically being seen. We can answer with a vague area but not too detailed (see below). Well-meaning people often go to an area where a dog is being seen and try to catch the dog. This can drive them away from a secure spot and even into a dangerous situation. Do not ever hesitate to ask questions in the Den or CM Chat in Messenger if you are uncertain of the best way to answer a question.
-Be sure to add the dog’s flyer to the public post.
-Update your Den post weekly or as major things transpire.
Additional info: We do not give specific addresses lost, give a general area. In large cities, neighborhoods have names, you can use those – such as “Dayton’s Bluff” area of , St. Paul” or simply “east-side” . In other places, give a general area.
The exception to this would be if the dog is trailing a leash or is known to be injured or have another health issue;, Under those circumstances you may give more specific area for searching.