Q:My dog Butch, a beagle, loves to roam whenever he can manage it. Last month he was lost for two weeks. We finally found him when a child was seen walking him in a nearby neighborhood. He had a microchip but the family that found him hadn't taken him to a vet or shelter. Instead, they had placed ads in the paper and signs in their neighborhood but I didn't know where to look. Could you please inform your readers about reuniting lost pets with their owners?

A: Consider yourself lucky. Many owners don't have happy endings after losing a pet. Typically, that's because, like you, they don't know exactly what to do when they lose a dog or find one. Here's a five-point plan for helping Butch find his way home next time:

• The microchip: To prevent permanent loss, have your pets microchipped by your veterinarian or local shelter. This is affordable and easy to do. If you find a pet, take him to a vet or shelter to have him checked for one.

• The newspaper: Finders, place an ad in the paper. Most major periodicals (like The Miami Herald) will print these free. In South Florida, consider running it in English and Spanish editions. Losers, don't forget to check the found section.

• Signs: Buy some posterboard and a thick, black marker to write ''lost'' or ''found.'' Post signs at eye level in major intersections around your area describing the pet.

• The shelter: Call your local shelter(s) to make sure no one has turned in an animal matching your pet's description. Even if your pet has a microchip (which means that shelter workers would have identified him on arrival), call every day.

• Prevention: Secure fencing is a must. But if you've got a roaming beagle (they love to stray on the scent of anything fun) you're in danger every time the door opens. A snug collar with all his information on a tag is the safest, surest way to get him back home quickly. Short of that, consider neutering him, if he's not already. Roaming behavior is reduced when pesky female aromas prove less enticing.

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