HISTORY OF NATIONAL LOST PET PREVENTION MONTH
Did you know that July 4 and the days surrounding it are the busiest days of the year for animal shelters accepting lost pets? Why is this the case? Fireworks during celebrations by pet owners can be a little upsetting for the four-legged members of the family. Many dogs and cats, startled and frightened by the sounds of fireworks or the activity of backyard parties, flee and get lost.
Aside from the events, many families enjoy vacations over the summer. Pets who join their owners on vacation are in danger of being disoriented in a new environment. Those that are left behind may flee due to loneliness or distress. Unfortunately, less than 3% of lost pets who wind up in shelters find their way home, and only 17% of dogs find their way home.
Because of the high frequency of missing pets this time of year, PetHub launched Lost Pet Prevention Month in 2014 to spark a more in-depth discussion on the numerous elements of keeping pets safe at home with their family. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, around 6.5 million companion animals enter animal shelters each year. There are around 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats among the 6.5 million. Fortunately, there are several techniques a pet parent may employ to keep their pet from becoming lost and ending up in a shelter.
HOW TO EFFCTIVELY PREVENT YOUR PET FROM GETTING LOST
-
Never leave your pet unattended
While a scared dog can remove its collar and dart away, even in a crowd, the majority of lost pets are left alone when they go missing. Keeping your pet visible when it is outside can considerably lessen the likelihood of it becoming lost.
-
Collar and I.D. tag your pet
All pets should wear a collar with their owner’s current contact information. This small precaution can assist a good Samaritan in quickly locating you and reuniting you with your pet.
-
Make an escape-proof enclosure available
If your pet spends a lot of time in the yard, make sure its cage is escape-proof. Fences should be high enough to keep your pet from leaping or scaling them, and the ground supports should be sturdy enough to keep digging dogs from burrowing beneath them.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A LOST PET
-
Call the authorities
Don’t put yourself in danger by attempting to catch aggressive animals, contact animal control.
-
Check for identification
Once you’ve located a lost pet, check its I.D. tag and contact the owner.
-
Take pets without I.D. to a shelter
If the animal lacks an identification tag or a microchip, its best chance is at an animal shelter.
-
Carefully capture and contain it
IF you find a stray cat or dog, try to trap and confine it if the situation allows.
-
Share your discovered pet
Create posts on social media for lost and found pets.