Lost Pet Awareness Month

Ask any pet parent who has lost a beloved dog or cat because the pet ran out the door, slipped the collar or wriggled out under a fence in the backyard and they will tell you it is one of the scariest times of their lives. Lost Pet Awareness Month is recognized in July and one of the reasons is that the July 4th fireworks typically lead to lost dogs. July 5 is one of the busiest times in the shelters because fireworks scared dogs and cats who raced off into the night. 

All of our pet-loving staff at all of our locations understand the importance of a dog and cat having a collar that fits snugly and to making certain the pet is leashed and kept safe from becoming a statistic. According to the National Humane Society, a “family pet is lost every two seconds.”  It’s also estimated that more than “ten million pets are lost annually and only one out of ten pets will be reunited with its owner.” What devastating statistics for any pet parent. 

Lost Pet Prevention Awareness Month 

Here are some of our best practice tips for keeping your pet from getting lost

• Make sure your dogs and cats wear a collar at all times. 
• The collar should have a tag with your current and correct contact information 
• When you take your dog for a walk, keep him leashed. Even if your dog "always" comes when he is called, that may not be the case if he is in an unfamiliar place or picks up a scent of something he wants to chase. 
• If you have guests coming to your home, put your pets in a room where they cannot get to the open door. If that isn't possible, then you will want to keep your pets on a leash and alert your guests to the pets and make sure they are aware of where they are so the pets don't get out the door. 
• Get your pet microchipped. A microchip, along with a tag with your contact information, can help assure your pet is returned to you. 
• Cats are escape artists and should also wear a collar and be microchipped. 

What to do if your pet escapes. 

• Immediately alert your neighbors 
• Check around your home -- many pets won't wander too far if they are afraid of being outside. 
• Contact local shelters, rescue groups and veterinarians to alert them that your pet is lost 
• Put a photo and information on social media and ask friends and family to share 
• Walk around the neighborhood and call your pet. 
• Know whether your cat likes to get up high or stay down low when she is in the house. If she likes to climb, then you will want to look in trees for your cat. 
• Cats can crawl up into the engine of a car or more likely under the car itself. Check there before you start the car. 
• Search for your cats at night and shine a flashlight so you can see your cats' eyes in the dark. 
• Don't lose hope. Keep looking for your pet, checking with shelters, the local pound and with your neighbors. 

We hope you never have to suffer the fear of losing a pet. It's always best to keep pets away from open doors, keep them leashed and don't leave them alone in the yard in case they decide to escape from the fence.