Tips for keeping your pets home and safe

According to recent statistics, there are nearly 70 million stray animals in the United States, and only about six to eight million enter the nation’s shelters. Additionally, only two percent of stray cats are reclaimed by their owners compared to the (still low) number of 30% for dogs.

July is Lost Pet Prevention Month. There are many ways to insure your pet’s safety and offer hope for a safe return in case it does become lost.

1. Keep your cat indoors. Outdoor and indoor-outdoor cats have a higher death rate due to being hit by cars or preyed upon by other animals, such as coyotes, foxes, and owls.
2. Keep your dog indoors except for bathroom breaks, and if you do have your dog outside for a period of time, make sure your yard is appropriately fenced (many large dogs are able to scale chain-link and even wooden fences) and that all gates are securely locked. Not only can dogs escape the yard, but thieves can snatch them (there are many unscrupulous people seeking dogs to sell either to mills or dog-fighting rings – or simply sell to other people looking for specific breeds).
3. Place a collar and id tag on your pet and make sure the contact information is up-to-date.
4. Strongly consider having a microchip implanted by your veterinarian – and make sure this information is also updated.
5. If your pet does become lost and your furry friend has a microchip, you can register your lost animal with the chip company (such as HomeAgain). Also, post to a community Lost and Found Facebook page if there is one, hang posters around the neighborhood, and report to your local animal control and animal shelter office(s).
6. Purchase a GPS tracking device, such as Whistle, and have your pet wear it whenever outdoors. Such a locator can help find your pet if s/he slips out.
7. Another helpful device is the Marco Polo, which doesn’t rely on cell service as others like the Whistle.

My husband and I have a variety of ways to keep our pets safe. We use the Whistle and Marco Polo on our dogs, especially when we travel, and all of our pets have microchips. Our cats are indoor animals with cat trees and other furnishings near windows to give them outdoor viewing opportunities. The dogs also live inside and when they are outside in our 6-foot wooden fence backyard for extended periods of time, we are with them. They also wear collars with ID tags. 

Losing a pet is difficult. I have walked that road before, thankfully, with a happy ending. I also have friends whose pets have gone missing, one lost her dog for nearly three weeks before successfully finding her precious pup and bringing her home.

For your sake and the sake of your furry family members, do all you can to help them NOT become a lost pet statistic.

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