We all adore our four-legged friends and could not imagine losing one of them. They are members of our family and we love them beyond what words can express. Sadly, pets get lost or stolen every day. In fact, two million pets are abducted or lost each year.
Every two seconds a pet is abducted or lost in North America.
As owners, we must be vigilant and conscious of our pet’s well-being and safety. Always make sure your pet is secure in the back-yard, with no lose fence boards or gaps that our curious friends can squeeze through. Make sure your fence is tall enough that your pet can’t get over. Always make sure to use a strong leash and never leave your pet unattended, tied to a pole, while you “run in real quick and grab something from the store”.
93 percent of dogs and 75 percent of cats reported lost were returned safely to their homes.
Many owners have collars with identification on their pets, however collars can be torn or fall off, or possibly removed. Microchipping your pet is an excellent way for your pet to find its way home should he/she be lost and found by your local shelter. A microchip is a computer chip enclosed in a small glass cylinder that is injected under the skin. The device is small and its purpose is to identify your pet. The microchip contains a code which is linked to a database. As long as your information is up-to-date, the shelter or hospital can scan the device, find your information, and reunite you with your lost pet.
If you lose your pet, begin by searching the immediate area your pet was last seen. Working outward, increase the radius of your search. Call your local shelter or police precinct to see if a Good Samaritan may have found and brought your pet to their facility. Utilize social media by posting notices and pictures of your pet on community pages. Most importantly, never lose hope!
