Over ten-million cats and dogs are lost in the United States each year. Almost one in three pets will become lost at some point in their life. These statistics are frightening for anyone who loves their pet. There are ways you can go about finding a lost pet and preventing it from becoming a statistic.
If a pet does become lost, there are also steps you can take to help increase the chances of their safe return. If you are an animal lover, there are many opportunities for you to volunteer to help reunite lost pets with their owners.
To protect your pet from becoming lost:
- Do frequent security checks. Is your yard secure? Are there areas where the dog could escape? Remember, dogs can dig, jump, and escape through holes that seem too small for them to fit. Keep your enclosure in good condition.
- Have your pet spayed or neutered. Statistically, pets who are spayed or neutered are less likely to roam away from home.
- If your pet becomes fearful of stimuli like loud noises, secure them in a safe area during times like storms or fireworks celebrations.
- If your pet is an escape artist that likes to bolt a door anytime it opens, consider barring access to the room with the door. If you make that part of the house off-limits to your pet, you significantly reduce the chances of an accidental escape.
- Work on behaviors that put your pet at risk. If your dog has risky behaviors like running away, chasing other animals and not responding to your calls, consider training. Correcting these behaviors will reduce the risk to your pet, and make them better canine citizens.
Proactive steps to take in case your pet does become missing:
- Have your pet microchipped. A microchip allows any veterinarian, shelter or animal control officer to scan the chip and have your name, address, and phone number.
- Invest in a quality collar and tags for your pet. Check the tags to make sure they remain firmly attached, are readable and have your current information on them.
- Remember, in the event, your pet is lost, this is your first line of defense. A private citizen doesn’t need to do more than look at the collar and place a phone call to reunite you with your pet.
- Keep a current photo of your pet accessible.
Finding a lost pet:
- If the worst happens and your pet does go missing, having a plan of action in place will help you remain calm. A quick response is the best way to ensure your pet’s safe return.
- Have an app like FindShadow, SPCA, Finding Rover, and Paw Boost downloaded and ready to go. You can upload a picture of your pet, and create an alert within minutes. This alert will be sent to those with the app in your geographical region.
- Some apps will then create a custom action plan just for you.
- Put out an alert on your neighborhood app with a picture of your pet and your contact information.
- Put out an alert on your social media. Ask all friends, family, and neighbors to keep an eye out and help with the search.
- Continue to follow your action plan from your lost pet app.
Ways to help reunite lost pets and their owners:
- If you find a lost pet, check for tags. Call the owner right away.
- If the animal is not wearing a collar with tags, take them to a veterinarian or local shelter to be scanned for a microchip.
- Volunteer on social media's lost and found pages. Social media groups for lost and found pets are great resources, but they are not very efficient. A found pet may be posted in one group, while the owner is posting about their lost pet in another.
- Spend a little time searching for each group. Cross-post and tag any possible matches between lost and found animals.
- For more ideas on ways to help reunite pets and owners, read the following.
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/weimaraner-dog-beach-pet-black-143753/
