New Fife group is helping to reunite owners with their missing dogs

All4Paws Fife officially launched on March 7 and it has proved to be so popular that 1500 members joined within four days!

Now, three weeks on, the Facebook group has over 2500 members.

Administrator Sheena Donson explained where the idea came from: “The group’s founder members Diane Moyes, Abbie Murray, Sarah Murray, Lorraine Orr, Karen Conn and Kayleigh Murray all previously knew each other through working together as volunteers within another local search group for missing dogs,” she said.

“Certain issues and friction within the group caused most of us to distance ourselves from it, but one night, on a group call to each other, we agreed that there are so many dogs that go missing daily that we just couldn’t do nothing.

“So we created All4Paws Fife and it was officially launched on March 7. Within four days we had 1500 members who joined the group and now we are sitting at over 2500!”

She continued: “The aim of the group is to reunite missing or lost dogs with their owners.

“The way which we aim to achieve this is by sharing awareness through social media channels, advising owners with any tips or advice, encouraging owners to follow the correct guidelines by contacting necessary channels and more often than not we get the wellies on and assist in the physical search of the dog, often trekking through muddy fields and puddles.”

Sheena said owners initially post on social media that their pet is missing. She said they then make contact with the owner to get any necessary information and share the post on the group’s page.

“This is when the importance of our members comes in,” she explained.

“The more shares we get on posts, the more attention it brings and often this is how we end up being able to track the dog and follow its movements. We give our members daily updates and let them know if there is anything they can do to help us.

“When the missing dog is tracked and found, we always update our posts to let everyone know the dog is safe.”

All4Paws Fife always carries out checks to make sure that if the group is assisting in reuniting a dog with its owner, that the animal is returned to its rightful home.

Sheena said: “Currently with dog theft being so high, we have decided that if someone posts a ‘found’ dog on our page, we will alert our members to this.

“However, we will not disclose an image of the dog.

"This is so that if someone comes forward claiming the dogs is theirs, there is specific measures the finder can ask to ensure that we are handing the dog over to the right owner.

“Although we would always urge anyone who finds a missing dog to contact their local dog warden and they can assist with scanning the pet and ensuring a safe return to the owner.”

She added: “There have been many tears shed when we reunite a missing dog with their owner. As massive dog lovers ourselves we know exactly how we would feel if one of our dogs was to go missing, they are like one of the family.

"We can spend a lot of time doing searches, but knowing we are getting closer to ensuring a dog’s safety makes it all worthwhile.”