Preventing lost pets is a priority for all pet lovers. Why? Because 30% of all pets go missing at some point during their lifetime. That statistic, courtesy of the American Humane Association, also mentions that July is the worst month of the year for pets going missing. Why is that?
Think about what happens in July. Its summer. People travel to visit other friends and family. Outdoor barbecues are commonplace. There are many people going in and out of the house and yard. Fireworks are set off by kids and in large community events, etc.
That is why July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month. As Dallas’ best dog walkers and pet sitters, we absolutely never want to lose a dog in our care. So preventing lost pets in the first place is why we train our staff on a variety of pet safety practices to minimize the possibility of that ever happening. We also do not want our clients to experience that traumatic event either. So what can pet owners do to PREVENT a lost pet?
Consider these tips to increase the likelihood of a pet’s return if they do go missing:
1. Preventing lost pets = a micro-chipped pet.
Collars and leashes are removeable, but a micro-chip is embedded under the pet’s skin—so it is forever. If you do find a lost pet, go to the closest vet clinic or animal shelter to scan them for a chip. Remember, chips can occasionally move too. Go to a second vet clinic or animal shelter to ask them to try to locate a chip on any lost pet you find, if the first scan did not yield any findings. It can’t hurt to be thorough.
2. Register your pet’s micro-chip.
It is imperative you register a pet’s micro-chip so someone that reads the chip can contact the pet’s owner. Many adopters adopt a pet that has been micro-chipped. Unfortunately, if they don’t go home and register that micro-chip online immediately with their contact details, they often forget to do it at all. Then it is very difficult to trace back to the pet’s owner. The person that found the pet must then contact the clinic or rescue that purchased the chip. They then must wait for the clinic or rescue to peruse their records to locate which pet it was embedded in. If the pet is found on a weekend or holiday, this process often takes days. This prolongs the pet owner’s agony. Don’t let this happen. Once the pet receives their micro-chip, immediately register it. Takes five minutes or less! If you move or change your phone number, update your pet’s microchip information.
3. Ensure your pet wears a collar with ID tag(s).
A collar with ID tag is the quickest way for someone that finds your lost pet to identify the owner. Yes, nefarious people can remove the collar. But we firmly believe there are way more wonderful human beings out there than not. In the case of a cat, breakaway collars are safest for them if they ever do go outside. Why? Because they may lose a collar (or five!) in their lifetime due to their adventurous, tree-climbing ways. That is why we recommend buying a half dozen breakaway collars with embroidered contact information in one purchase. This way you always have an identifiable collar on hand for them in case they lose one. This is an inexpensive way to save you from the serious heartache that a missing pet can cause.
4. Secure your home and yard.
Our team of Dallas professional pet sitters checks that a backyard is secure before letting a pet out. It is not uncommon to find gates left open by kids, repairmen or yard workers, or for critters to tunnel under certain parts of a fence. Walk the perimeter of your yard at least once a week when your pet is outside to ensure their containment in your yard is truly secure.
5. Check your pet’s collar and/or harness fit securely every time you leave the house with them.
How to properly fit collars and harnesses is another area that Park Cities Pet Sitter trains its staff of Dallas dog walkers. If a collar or harness is too loose, and the pet gets startled by something, they often slip out of either tool. The best practice is to check that the collar and/or harness is tightly fitted (only two fingers should be able to easily slip underneath it) before walking out the door, and to do this every single time you take your dog outside. It takes two seconds and gives you peace of mind that your pet is with you no matter what you encounter out in the world.
6. Leash your pet when they are outside and not contained in your yard.
This might seem obvious, but many lost pet incidents occur because of just a few seconds where the owner believed there was no danger. “I ran out to get the mail and he always stays in the front yard with me.” But crazy situations happen. Leash your pet every time they are outside so they are easy to recapture. A pet with a leash dragging behind it is a sure-fire sign of a lost pet instead of a stray.
7. Preventing lost pets = make smart, quick decisions if your pet does go missing.
If your pet goes missing, immediately contact friends, family and neighbors to fan out in your neighborhood to find your pet. Make sure everyone is calm, does not chase your pet if they see them, and has a cell phone on them to communicate. Always have a current photo of your pet ready and available to make a quick “Lost Pet” sign. Make sure you are a member of Next Door, and post photos of your pet and where they were last seen on the platform—along with contact information.
These tips are a great starting point for most pet owners. But we know there are many other things to do to prevent a lost pet or to assist in locating them once they are missing. It is our hope that you already do the things listed here so that you never experience the fear and dread that happen when a pet goes missing. If you have other great tips to prevent a pet from going missing or to help locate a lost pet, leave them in the comments.
