We’re all guilty of leaving our pet unattended—whether in your air-conditioned car while you run in to pay for gas, in your yard when going to the gym, or just letting them off leash on a hike. However, these blips in time are long enough for someone to seize an opportunity and the next thing you know: you’ve become a victim of pet theft.
AKC Reunite has reported that pet theft is on the rise in the United States. Any pet can be taken, but dogs are most commonly stolen for profit—resale, breeding or dog fighting purposes. Purebred dogs and popular breeds like retrievers, bully breeds, bulldogs and huskies, are often targeted.
Pet Theft Prevention
We’re all busy with a variety of obligations, from work to family to socialization, but keeping our four-legged friends safe is always one of our main priorities. Protect your best fur-ever friend with these tips!
- Pet Identification
It’s of the utmost importance to ID your pet—microchipping, having a traditional tag on their collar—or both—as long as you ID your pet! For all options (including digital tags), make sure your contact information is kept up-to-date to ensure a safe, quick reunion if you’re ever separated from your fur baby.
- Spay and Neuter
Unless you want to play nurse to a litter of pups, we highly encourage you to spay or neuter your pets. Not only are there health benefits, but spaying and neutering lower your dog’s natural inclination to roam. If your dog isn’t spayed or neutered and mates with another dog, that can create a much larger issue when they come home–with a litter of fur babies to care for.
- Always Be Mindful
Whether at home or in public, keep a close eye on your pooch. If you’re going to be away from home, leave pets indoors. If you’re running errands, don’t leave your dog in the car or bed of a truck. When taking walks, stay on leash to ensure your pup doesn’t get distracted by other animals, people, or wildlife.
What To Do If Your Dog Goes Missing
If you believe your dog has been stolen, report it to local police and animal control, immediately. Provide them with current photos and your pet’s relevant information—breed, gender, name, age, and unique markings. You can also contact local shelters, animal rescue groups, and your veterinary clinic to let them know about the situation. The more eyes that are looking for your fur baby, the better!
Losing a pet to pet theft is stressful and devastating, but it doesn’t mean they’re gone forever. With the proper protection and habits in place, the risk can be greatly reduced and make it much more likely you’ll be reunited with your dog. The most important thing (besides staying educated on pet safety) is to always have hope!
Please ask our staff about pet microchipping, tracking, and other safety precautions you can consider your for pets. We’re here to help you ensure your pet’s health and safety.
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