By Heidi Dahms Foster

Losing a dog is terrifying anytime, but when it’s a dog rescued from the Navajo reservation, an already traumatized animal is exposed to more disorientation and anxiety. Just such a scenario at Prescott Dog’s annual Woofstock adoption event in Prescott Valley on Saturday, May 30, fortunately had a happy ending.

Elaine O’Connor, owner of PV Bark in Prescott Valley, had a booth at Woofstock and heard the buzz that a dog had escaped from its rescue. Prescott Valley has a network of dog lovers who are experienced and effective in such situations, including Yavapai Humane Trappers Search & Rescue (YHT), and trainer Mackenzie Dell Donaldson. Volunteers, Donaldson, and YHT were on the search immediately, announcements went out on social media, and a kind volunteer put up a large reward for the return of the dog, named Kaylee.

Kaylee was sighted in the area of Navajo Drive, about two miles from the Woofstock location at PV Civic Center, but couldn’t be located until Tuesday, June 2nd.

On Tuesday, O’Connor said PV Bark manager Danielle Hash called in to say she’d be late—a lost dog had followed her and her pup home from a walk, and she was able to contain it in her yard.

Kaylee was dragging a leash when she escaped but she wasn’t wearing it when Danielle found her. She called the number on the flyers and texted a photo. Kaylee was retrieved unharmed and spent some time decompressing at Frost’s home before being returned to her foster from Blackhat Humane Society, which operates on the Navajo Reservation.

O’Connor and Hash marveled over the recovery of the dog. “What are the chances of Kaylee following Danielle home, and then hopping into her back yard to hang out?” O’Connor said.

“A huge thank you to both YHT and Mackenzie Dell Donaldson for working this lost-dog case, said rescue volunteer Toby Frost. “Kaylee was lucky to have both of you watching her back. She made it quite a distance east of the civic center, and if we understood dog talk, I’m sure it would be quite a tale. I really appreciate those who walked around looking for her, the kind volunteer who put up the reward, Mackenzie and Yavapai Humane Trappers. You all rock!”

Blackhat is overwhelmed with their task on the Navajo Reservation, and is looking for a foster for Kaylee who has more time to spend with her, Frost said. “Kaylee is in need of a foster family who can give her the one-on-one time and patience she deserves to truly come out of her shell.

“Her foster had been doing an incredible job going above and beyond for her. However, that foster is also caring for many other dogs who have found sanctuary there, which limits the individual time Kaylee really needs to decompress and build confidence.”

The volunteers at Blackhat Humane Society span across all of the Navajo Nation and beyond, and their resources are spread thin providing essential veterinary care, food, and rescue services for the over 200,000 stray and abandoned animals. If you followed Kaylee’s journey and would like to support the efforts that brought her to safety from the reservation you can donate to the rescue at blackhathumanesociety.org.

What to Do If Your Dog is Lost

Northern Arizona has a wide array of rescues and volunteers dedicated to helping your lost dog return home safely. Time however, is critical. If your dog goes missing, act quickly by doing these things first:

  • Physically search the immediate area.
  • Contact your local animal control to report the lost dog to animal control officers, who can be on the lookout for your pet.
  • Visit the Yavapai Humane Society: YHS manages stray sheltering for the City of Prescott. Visit their Lost & Found center at 1625 Sundog Ranch Road to physically look for your dog and submit a Yavapai Humane Society Lost Pet Report.
  • The Town of Prescott Valley has a holding kennel for stray dogs—non-emergency at 928-772-9261.
  • Check Your Microchip Provider: Ensure your dog’s microchip is registered with your current phone number.
  • Post on Local Online Networks: Share a recent photo, the dog’s name, and the nearest cross streets on local social media groups. Check or post to the Lost & Found Pets Prescott/Prescott Valley and Lost Pets of Northern Arizona (LPONA) Facebook groups. It’s also helpful to post on community groups for your area.
  • Make posters with your dog’s description and contact information to place on bulletin boards and in the area your dog was lost. Look online for printable poster templates.

If You See or Find a Lost Dog

Following these can help a lost dog return home safely:

  • Approach safely if you can, and secure: Do not chase! Most lost dogs are frightened and chasing it may cause it to run into further danger. If the dog is friendly, gently leash it or contain it in a safe, fenced area (like your yard or a garage) with fresh water. If you cannot secure the dog, note the area and cross streets, and call local animal control to report.
  • Keep yourself and your family safe. A frightened or injured dog may act unpredictably. Do not chase: If the dog is skittish, do not chase them. Instead, sit down, speak softly, and lure them with food or a squeaky toy.
  • Check for ID: Check the collar for a license, ID tag, or Rabies tag with the owner’s phone number. Scan for a microchip: Take the dog to the nearest veterinary clinic or the Yavapai Humane Society (located at 1625 Sundog Ranch Rd in nearby Prescott). Most vet clinics and shelters will scan for a microchip for free, which instantly traces the owner’s details.
  • File Reports with Local Authorities: Animal Control/Police: If the owner is searching for their pet, this is typically their first point of contact. See resources listed below.
  • Spread the Word Locally: Social Media—Post a clear, well-lit photo of the dog and mention the exact cross streets or neighborhood where you found it. Great places to post include Nextdoor, Facebook lost and found groups and community groups, and Facebook Straydar. Posting a photo online in a lost dog or community site may help owners locate the animal—networking has helped many lost dogs return home.
  • Print Flyers: Make physical flyers with a photo and your contact info. Hang them up at local intersections, bulletin boards, and drop them off at nearby vet offices in case the owner comes looking.
  • Shelter Surrender: If you absolutely cannot keep the dog temporarily while searching for the owner, surrender the dog to a trusted facility like the Yavapai Humane Society. Be sure to specify that you found the dog so they can hold it properly. The Humane Society and local rescue groups can help identify the nearest vets and suggest other places to contact to help find an owner.

Resources

Prescott Animal Control
928-777-1135 | tinyurl.com/2tpwda9b

Prescott Valley Animal Services
(928) 772-5154 | tinyurl.com/bp664tkk

Chino Valley Animal Control
Shelter: 928-636-4223 ext 7
Dispatch: 928-771-3260 | tinyurl.com/77cxsra2

Yavapai County Animal Control
928-771-3282 | tinyurl.com/5n83ym85

Yavapai Humane Society
yavapaihumane.org/lost-and-found-pets/

Rescue Resources (Info on local rescues)
PrescottDog.com