Free Lost Dog Poster Template (Australia) and What to Put on It

Quick answer: a good lost dog poster has five things a driver can read in a few seconds: "LOST DOG" in huge letters, one clear photo, the suburb and date last seen, two or three features that make your dog recognisable, and a phone number. Copy the template below into Word, Pages, Google Docs or Canva, fill it in, and print A4 or A3. Keep some details back so you can check genuine callers.

The template

Copy this text, then add your photo under the heading. Use the biggest font that fits.

Adjust the behaviour line to suit your dog. "Please don't chase" helps with nervous dogs, which can run further when people chase them.

What to put on a lost dog poster

• One photo, not five. Full body, side-on, in good light. Our guide to photographing your dog for a lost pet poster shows how.
• Breed or type and colour in plain words: "small white fluffy dog" helps more than a breed name some people won't know.
• Size compared to something everyday: "about knee height".
• Where and when last seen, using a landmark people know.
• One or two standout features: collar colour, a limp, one ear up.
• A mobile number that will be answered, in huge font.

What to leave off

• One identifying detail (a scar, a marking). Ask callers to describe it so you can tell genuine sightings from scams.
• Your home address.
• Reward amounts. Many owners write "Reward" without a figure. If you have pet insurance, check whether it covers advertising and reward costs before you spend.
• Long paragraphs. People read posters from cars.

Where to put lost dog posters in Australia

• Within a few kilometres of where your dog was last seen, at eye level on poles at intersections (check council rules on public signage)
• Local vets, pet stores, groomers and cafes (ask first)
• Community noticeboards at supermarkets and libraries
• Dog parks, beach car parks and walking tracks your dog knows
• Letterbox drop the nearest streets

Take them down once your dog is home.

Share it online too

1. Take a photo of the finished poster and post it in local lost and found pet groups and community pages.
2. Mark your dog as missing on your state's pet registry (in NSW, the NSW Pet Registry).
3. Send the poster to your council pound, local vets and the RSPCA.

See what to do in the first 24 hours for the full search plan, and how to get your dog back from a NSW pound.

Make one now, before you need it

Fill in this template today with a good photo, save it on your phone, and you'll have it ready in seconds if your dog ever goes missing. Our seasonal ID checklist reminds you to update it.

FAQs

What size should a lost dog poster be?

A4 works for noticeboards; A3 is easier to read from a car. Use thick text and lots of white space.

Should I offer a reward?

It's your call. Writing "Reward" without a figure is common. Be cautious of callers who ask for money before returning a dog.

How far should I put up posters?

Start within a few kilometres of where your dog was last seen, then widen the area if there are sightings further out.

A poster helps strangers recognise your dog. An AirTag helps you look in the right place first. Keep one on the collar in a Pawfetchers waterproof holder (AirTag sold separately).