Is your dog missing right now?

Stop. Breathe. Most missing dogs are found close to home, often within the first day — and the first few hours matter more than almost anything else you'll do.

Go straight to our step-by-step guide. It takes you through what to do in the first few minutes, within the hour, and in the days after, in the order to do it.

 What we do

We're a coordinating and advisory group. When a dog goes missing near Colchester, we help the owner run a calm, sensible, evidence-led search — because in most cases the owner is the person best placed to bring their dog home.

Once a search passes the first day, we can help you with:

• A clear plan for the days ahead, built around where and how your dog went missing

• Understanding what your dog is doing — a dog in flight mode isn't being naughty or ungrateful, and the search has to be built around that

• Scent stations, feeding points and sighting protocol — where to put things, and what to do when someone spots your dog

• Managing sightings and information as they come in, so nothing gets lost and nobody wastes a night in the wrong field

• Posters, alerts and who to notify — vets, wardens, the right local groups and national databases

• Someone to talk to who has read the research and won't send you chasing rumours

What we don't do

We're honest about our limits, because bad advice costs dogs their lives.

• We don't organise large search parties. They're one of the most reliable ways to push a frightened dog further from home.

• We're not an emergency service. If a dog is on a road, injured, or in immediate danger, call 999 or your vet first.

• We don't take over. It's your dog and your search. We're the people alongside you.

How we work

• A frightened dog is not being disobedient.

• Chasing and cornering make things worse.

• Scent, patience and quiet consistency work better than noise.

• Every dog is an individual, and so is every search.

• We only pass on advice and information we've checked.

Why we exist

In July 2026 a dog called Freya went missing near Colchester, and her owner had to turn to FIDO in Ipswich for support — because there was nothing here. They were brilliant. But Colchester is a big place, and it needed its own.

So we built one.

Where we cover

Colchester and the surrounding villages. If you're just outside that and stuck, get in touch anyway — we'll either help or point you to the people who can.