(Dog entering humane trap. Image was taken by infrared, motion-detecting digital camera.Check the temperature- 25 degrees! Photo courtesy of Pet Detective, Kat Albrecht)
A family pet is lost every two seconds. Over 10 million pets are lost each year. One out of three pets is lost during their lifetimes. One in ten family pets is found. (National Council of Pet Population Study and Policy and National Humane Society)
Staggering statistics, to say the least, that makes this writer shutter realizing how many families and their beloved pets are never reunited. I’ve experienced this horrible feeling firsthand after my dog, Buddy, ran away from my dad’s home while he dog sat my newly adopted white, furry bundle of joy.
I empathize with anyone who has gone through this ordeal. I was fortunate to get Buddy back. He became lost on New Year’s Eve and lived outside with temperatures in the 30’s. He was picked up by a stranger and got away from the driver in the country where he was spotted running back and forth at the top of a hill at a rod and gun club where people were shooting one day. I’m so thankful no shooter decided to take a shot at him. At least, not to my knowledge.
Has your pet been lost, run away or stolen? Then, you, too, are a part of the statistics listed above. While I had recently written about a dog named Rio who was missing and elusive for over three weeks in Berks County, PA, I couldn’t help but notice how many pets were missing via social media simultaneously in the same area.
A chihuahua escaped nearly at the same time. Then, a service dog (Finley) became spooked and took off while in the possession of not only his guardian but the person he was trained to help on a daily basis. It doesn’t stop there. There are constant listings of pets that are missing on social media sites every day.
Rio and Finley were captured and are safe at home. Even as I write this, how many beloved pets have wandered away from their homes or have been stolen?
Lost pets aren’t only about dogs and cats who have run away. Many pets are stolen from their backyards and sometimes from within the home. How do we protect our pets from either running away or being stolen? Even more, why are family pets running away or being stolen at an alarming rate or is it social media that gives the appearance of an increase of missing dogs and cats?
I personally feel most of the reasons pets run away or escape can be traced back to us- the ones responsible for their well-being. Not all of the time because there are pets who have their own mind and are determined to do what they want to do, when they want to do it! Some animals, I feel, can’t be or don’t want to be confined to one place.
Many unneutered males take off because of the allure of a female dog in heat. My family had an unneutered male dog (bird/beagle mix) who would jump over our four-foot fence to enjoy a rendezvous with female dogs. We didn’t know this fact until one day when my parents were informed of my studly dog, Prince, was going to be a father. It was at this point when Prince was finally neutered and his running-away days were done. Today, we know the many health benefits of having your dog neutered or spayed.
We also had a female dog that we were given when my oldest brother was sent oversees when he was in the Air Force. We inherited his energetic, adorable pregnant dog, Lenius. After she had the puppies and went into heat again, male dogs would stand outside of our four-foot fence waiting for her while she was inside our home. She, too, was spayed after that. When you spay or neuter your pet, you lower their chances of certain types of cancers plus the added bonus of not wanting to run away.
Another major reason dogs run away are fireworks. I remember when I volunteered for a rescue and was told that the 4th of July is a busy time because dogs become so frightened by the loud, banging and popping of the traditional fireworks displays in the U.S. Unfortunately, guardians of pets don’t take into consideration the effect this enjoyable event for people can have on your pet. Similarly, thunderstorms can have an equal effect on your pet. Prince, my former “studly” dog, was scared to death of thunderstorms. Prince was a dog who was scared of nothing except a thunderstorm where he shook uncontrollably.
A friend of mine, Nancy, had to give her dog medicine to calm her if and only she knew when a thunderstorm was going to happen. Otherwise, the dog was petrified.
If we take precautions beforehand such as keeping your pet indoors in a room where the fireworks aren’t heard as much or soft music can be played during the fireworks, we can prevent them from running away. The key is to keep your pet protected prior in a safe place.
Some pets run away because they’re being hurt or abused. It has been proven that some pets run away from someone who is treating them inhumanely. Who can blame them?
One of the main reasons why cats run away is territorial. Cats are territorial by nature. When a family moves into a new home, the cat doesn’t see the new place as his/her territory. They may try to find their old house.
We then have the issue of cats who live indoors only. If you’re not careful, they can escape to the great outdoors. They’re not accustomed to the outside world and may become scared or defensive. There are people who feel it’s ok to leave their indoor-only cats outside every so often. The cats become scared and begin to hide from everything and anything including their owner.
I personally feel it’s best to keep your cats indoors where he/she will be safe. When you adopt from shelters or rescues, you typically sign a contract stating that you will keep your cat indoors.
It is when owners leave their cats outside for whatever reason (and not abiding by the contract they signed) and eventually the cat is left outside for good which creates the beginning of a feral cat.
Then we have people complaining of a feral cat issue in their neighborhood which different organizations are trying to help combat this ever-growing problem. Keep your pet cat indoors. Problem solved.
If you keep your pet outdoors, the chances rise for someone to steal your pet. A tethered dog is an easy target. People want their chained dog used as a guard dog while tied to a dog house. How is that even possible? Your dog can’t defend itself, let alone your home?
People keep their pets in their cars while they run into a store or a friend’s home. Someone can easily break into your car, even if it’s locked, and take away your treasured pet. Don’t shop and leave your dog in your car. I see that all too often. I not only worry about the dog being stolen but how hot that vehicle is for the panting dog. Too many dogs die in this manner.
These are but a few reasons why your pet may run away, is lost or stolen. If you look closely, the main connection and correlation among the reasons is YOU!
You, as the protector of your pet, can and must take necessary precautions to keep your pet safe. If you follow the guidelines and quite frankly, common sense, you decrease the chances of your pet from running away, being lost or stolen.
In my case with Buddy, I had only adopted him one month prior to him running away from my dad. Here he was in a new home with me and now he was in another new place- my dad’s. He must have been so confused. So, he bolted when my dad answered the front door. Between placing flyers and calling the local radio station, a local family called after tearing down one of our flyers. Buddy had an ID on his collar but the number was never called. I believe the family was going to keep Buddy. They told us he was there all day. Buddy was freezing and was a dirty mess. The flyer made them realize he had a family. While I’m grateful that they made the decision to call and return Buddy, I have to wonder why they took their time knowing this dog belonged to someone else.
There are exceptions to every rule. There are some pets that no matter what you do, they are determined to get free and wander.
If your pet does become lost, start your search IMMEDIATELY! DON’T WASTE TIME.
POST FLYERS WITH COLORFUL PAPER. USE A CURRENT PHOTO WITH FULL DESCRIPTION WITH NAME AND CONTACT INFO.
PLACE THESE FLYERS EVERYWHERE- THIS IS WHAT HELPED US TO BE REUNITED WITH BUDDY
CONTACT SHELTERS. CONTACT THEM EVERY DAY TO ASK IF YOUR DOG IS THERE.
PUT ADS IN THE NEWSPAPER
CALL VET CLINICS
POST INFO ON FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA SITES INCLUDING CRAIGSLIST
PLACE HUMANE TRAPS IN DIFFERENT AREAS AS SEEN IN ABOVE PHOTO WITH CLOTHING OF YOURS. THEY WILL SMELL YOUR SCENT. PLACE FOOD, WATER AND BLANKET IN TRAP.
KEEP LOOKING AND ASK OTHERS TO HELP. INVOLVE THE MEDIA, IF NECESSARY.
NEVER GIVE UP!
This article took me 45 minutes to write. That equals 2700 seconds.
During the last 45 mintues, 1350 pets were lost, stolen or ran away.
This can be prevented and it all comes down to you!
Can you think of other reason why pets run away, are lost or stolen? Share your thoughts.
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Getting to your post, pets are stolen out of their backyards for different reasons. Some people are just plain rotten to the core. Some are taken to research labs. Others are used as bait dogs for dog fighting. Michael Vick used pets as bait dogs at his Bad Newz Kennels. Pit bulls against someone’s pet. Can you imagine the torture these dogs endured?
Some pets leave the scene of an accident. I hear that one on the news. They get scared because their owner has been hurt. They don’t know what to do so they take off. That’s not unusual.
Then we have people who allow their indoor cat to go outside. Before you know it, the cat is an outside cat and suffers the consequences of not being allowed back in the house.
Alot does come down to the owner being responsible. Sometimes, the most responsible person can have a pet run away. It happens, sadly. I agree that we need to act immediately if your pet is lost!
It boild down to irresponsible pet owners. Some people shouldn’t be allowed to have pets. Yes, there are accidents to the best pet owners but the majority of pets who have run away is the fault of the owner. I feel shelters should be more stringent when adopting pets!
No matter if some one searches for their lost pet, it’s so important to realize how to prevent this scenario from ever happening. Prevention is the key. Thanks for pointing that out. Pets still will run away despite how many measures we take to prevent them from running away because some pets will run out of boredom, emergencies, accidents and more. If you have a working dog like a German Shephard, you have to realize this breed of dog needs lots of exercise. It’s not the type of dog to be laid back. It wants to move and if someone doesn’t appreciate this characteristic in any breed like this, the dog may take off out of sheer boredom or to get the exercise.
Yes! Finally something about irresponsible pet owners who are the main culprits for pets being lost or running away. People who steal pets are scum. Lower than scum. For me, they’re as bad as kidnappers. As you can tell my pets are my children. Don’t care what anyone thinks of that.
Howdy! This article could not be written any better!
Looking through this article reminds me of
my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about me being a better pet parent. I can still remember him telling me to keep a leash on my dog when I took him different places.
I will send this information to him. I know he will say , I told you so. Fairly certain he will have a
great read. I appreciate you for sharing but as a reminder to others.
I couldn’t believe the number of animals that go missing. Staggering statistics is what you wrote and is so right. Unbelievable that millions of pets are lost each yr. and it appears a small fraction find their way back home. No wonder my roommate always warned me.
Thanks for the reminder.
I like this blog since I love animals. What you’ve written really makes sense and are really impressive ideas.
You have touched some pleasant factors here. Any way keep up writing.
People need to watch their pets more closely. It is mainly their fault even though emergencies occur and such. The bulk is the owner’s fault!!!
“Can you think of other reason why pets run away, are lost or stolen? Share your thoughts.”
Pets can sneak out of your door so quickly despite being careful. This doesn’t make you a bad pet owner. Accidents like this do happen.
Then again, I see too many people who don’t have a leash on their dog and that dog sees another animal to chase and off it goes.
I hate when people leave their cats outdoors. The cat you adopted was meant to be kept indoors and people think the cat can find its way back home.
Dogs find their way back home far better than cats. Before you know it, the cat remains outside more than it’s left inside. Bad pet owners.
Or the dog who is put outside when a baby comes into the house. Tied to a dog house and forgotten. They don’t deserve a dog!
I can’t believe those numbers of lost and stolen pets. It goes way beyond stagggering. Unfathomable is more like it. We already have a pet overpopulation problem, now we have millions of pets that are lost and stolen. Stop breeding people. We have too many dogs and cats in this world. If they’re not killed in shelters, they’re lost or worse. Stop the insanity!
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people are stupid and careless to allow their pets to roam free. when they let their cats out, they’re allowing them to reproduce which adds more animals to shelters and will most likely die. Shelters can’t take care of wild cats. I’m so sick of people and their attitudes towards their pets. They don’t deserve them!
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I take offense to blame me, as the pet owner, for my dog running away. Accidents happen and dogs especially, will run away at times. How am I supposed to stop my dog if he smells a female in heat? Shouldn’t that female dog be watched more closely so she won’t attract male dogs like mine?
You just slut shamed a dog. Really. Do you realize that if you would chop your dogs cajones off he wouldn’t wander. Plain and simple. 🙂
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After saying that, I find it so painfully sad how many pets are lost and stolen. Why aren’t people more responsible and why do people have to steal? I know why they steal. They don’t want to pay for their own dog or can’t afford or they want to use that dog for ungodly purposes. Makes me sick to my stomach! Excellent work!
I keep an eye on my dog at all times. I trust no one. I love my dog as much as others love their own flesh and blood. I will do whatever it takes to protecct my dog. No one will ever get him!!
I keep an eye on my cat and dog all the time, too. All pet owners should do the same if they can. They also need to make sure when they leave home that their pets are in secure areas where they can’t run away.
too many!
Putting lavender oil on the paws of a dog who’s scared by thunderstorms will relax them. Trust me, my friend did it on her whippet mix and she slept peacefully all that night. 🙂
Thanks for the infomation. Glad it helped your dog!
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There is no National Humane Society. There is the Humane Society of the U.S., which is primarily a lobbying group and has no shelter and no pets. Or there are many local humane societies, shelters or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
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