Writing finder instructions on your pet profile: 6 lines that matter

Quick answer: Aim for a few short lines about your pet’s behavior, practical precautions and how to contact you. Six lines is a writing suggestion, not an app limit. In Driyu, saved finder instructions appear on the scan page when the pet or tag is marked lost.

Finder instructions can help someone understand what you want them to do. They are public when displayed, so do not treat this field as private storage. Keep only information that is useful to someone finding the pet.

What a good finder note looks like

Three examples that show the pattern:

• For a shy dog: “Shy with strangers. Please keep your distance, do not chase, and contact me with the location.”
• For an indoor cat: “Indoor cat; may hide. Please report where you saw her. Do not crawl under cars or enter unsafe spaces.”
• For a sociable dog: “May approach people but can bolt through an open door. Please contact me before attempting to move him.”

The six lines worth writing

1. Approach guidance: “Please give space and do not chase.” Do not describe any posture as permission to touch.
2. Handling guidance: “Call before attempting to move or restrain.” Avoid asking an untrained finder to grab a collar.
3. Known risk: “Please keep other pets at a distance.”
4. Stress signal. “Scared of loud voices — please speak softly.”
5. Medical or safety note, if essential. “On medication — please call before feeding.”
6. Temporary context, if useful. “Away from our usual area; please use the contact options on this page.” Avoid publishing your travel schedule or another person’s number without their agreement.

Most pets need 2-4 of these, not all six. Pick what is actually relevant for your pet, not the full menu.

What to leave out

• Your home address.
• Your daily schedule (“I’m usually at work 9-5”).
• Long personality stories.
• The pet’s detailed medical history beyond immediate-handling relevance.
• Your microchip registry account login.
• Your pet’s full name including last name.
• Photos of your face or family.
• Anything you would not be comfortable having visible to anyone with a phone camera who scans the tag.

Why brevity matters specifically here

A finder may be reading on a phone in a difficult situation. Short notes help them locate the next safe action. Avoid guarantees about how a frightened animal will behave.

For cats specifically

Write cat-specific notes that describe your own pet rather than assuming the same behavior for every animal. Examples to adapt:

• “Indoor cat; may hide quietly.”
• “Please report the sighting location; do not enter unsafe spaces.”
• “Please speak softly and give space.”
• “Has not been outside in years — please do not chase.”

For more on cat body language, see cat body language for finders and family.

For dogs specifically

• “Shy with strangers; keep your distance and do not chase.”
• “Please keep small animals away and call before attempting to move.”
• “Friendly but bolts at open doors.”
• “Please call before offering food.”

For more on dog body language, see dog body language for finders and family.

Privacy-aware writing

Saved finder instructions are public when the pet or tag is marked lost. Other text, such as temperament and behavior notes or distinguishing marks, can appear even outside Lost Mode. Keep addresses, door codes and private account details out of all these fields. See the public privacy guide.

How Driyu can help

Save useful instructions and review them when the pet’s situation changes. They appear in the lost-pet state, alongside the recovery information that is available. Keep current contact routes and a recognizable photo as well. You can try the finder example without sending a real report.