National Lost Pet Prevention Month- Ways to Prevent your Pet from Getting Lost

Observed as National Lost Pet Prevention Month, July is that special month of the year when special awareness is raised about the growing problem of lost pets. According to reports, every second, a pet gets lost in the United States and only one in ten manages to reunite with their families.

Established by Pet Hub Inc, National Lost Pet Prevention Month was founded to raise awareness so that pets can be prevented from getting lost.

What can we do to prevent our pets from getting lost?

Most of the time we end up losing our pets because of situations that are not in our control. However, there are a few simple steps that we can take to reduce the chances of our furry friends getting lost.

• Microchipping

If your pet gets lost, a microchip plays an important role for you to get it back. If your pet is microchipped, its rescuer can take it to a vet, who can scan the microchip to find out details like your name, address, and telephone number.

Microchipping your pet is an inexpensive and painless procedure where a tiny chip which is as small as a grain is injected under your pet's skin.

• DNA Protection

According to recent developments, you can now secure DNA identification for your furry friends, which helps in protecting them. You can procure DNA identification kits where you can store records of your pet's DNA which can later be used to identify them if they get lost or stolen.

• Secure your garden and home

Dogs and cats tend to escape from their families causing separation from them, which is why it is very important that you secure your home and garden.

You should double-check your fencing and fix any small space which may enable your pet from escaping. You should also make sure that the wall is tall enough to prevent your furry babies from jumping over.

• Have your cats and dogs neutered

Male cats and dogs tend to go out looking out for a mate if they are not neutered, which exposes them to the risk of getting lost. Spaying also helps secure female dogs and cats as they usually get pursued by aggressive males resulting in them going too far and getting lost.

• Secure them with a suitable collar

It is important that you secure your pets with a suitable collar that fits them well. You can consider attaching ID tags to the collar containing your name, address, and telephone number. This will help you reunite with them easily if they get lost.

• Basic training

This one applies especially to the dog parents as cats usually are not the most obedient animals.

Dogs generally tend to chase things in open areas that catch their interest. However, it will get easier for you to keep your dogs in control if they are given basic training to listen to your instructions.

What can we do if we lose our pets?

• If your pet goes missing, the first and foremost thing that you should do is file a lost animal report at the local police department. The police will help you reunite with your pet by putting out a runaway notice and broadcasting information about your pet with shelters in the area.
• Register your missing pet on missing pet apps.
• Take a look at the usual places where you think your pet can go. Be it your neighbor's yard or the busy parking lot, leave no stone unturned. You can also consider parking your car in front of your home overnight as a signal to your pets if they return on their own.
• Keep an eye on your pet’s favorite places like a nearby dog park where they might have managed to return.
• Post notices with a photo of your pet in your neighborhood, nearby grocery store, local dog park, and community bulletin boards. The notice should also include distinguishing characteristics of your pet, if any.
• Check with animal shelters and humane societies in your neighborhood if they have received your pet.

What should we do if we find a lost pet?

• Check with your neighbors in case they have lost a pet and looking out for it.
• If the pet is wearing a tag containing details of its parent, you can consider getting in touch with them.
• Visit a rescue center or a vet. They will be able to scan the pet's microchip and find out its parent’s whereabouts.
• Share information about the pet in relevant social media groups.

Bottom Line

We can thus conclude by saying that July is the month of the year when we should sit back and realize that whether we are pet parents or not, it becomes our social responsibility to help a pet in distress. For pet parents, however, it becomes double the responsibility to be extra careful so as to not end up losing their furry babies in any given circumstances.