Do you have a pet and want to know what you have to do so it does not get lost? What are the most common avoidable causes for which a pet disappears? What can we do and how can the most effective measures be taken to prevent your pet from leaving and never coming back?
Nobody would like it to happen, but it can happen. And it is that 90% of the losses of a pet occur due to easily avoidable oversights by its well-intentioned owners.
Discovering that your dog has disappeared is the beginning of a devastating experience. However, is it possible to anticipate all the scenarios in which your pet is lost?
Do not.
All you can do is to increase the chances of your pet staying safe with a series of very simple recommendations to implement.
>> Also check, How to Find A Lost Dog – Get Your Pup back Immediately
THE SIMPLE STEPS THAT WILL PREVENT YOUR PET FROM GETTING LOST
You may have heard a thousand ways to protect your dog, but the reality is that you just have to follow a few tips to protect your dear friend.
Start with the basics: place higher fences in your garden and put an identification plate (here you can make your personalized plates).
However, if you are looking to take your pet’s safety one level further, then read on.
SECURE YOUR PET WITH A FENCE OR LEASH
If you have a patio or garden, make sure it is well suited to your pet. For example, most of the times when a dog is lost, it is because the area was not safe enough or the animal was untied.
Even if you think your pet is well trained, the reality is that it does not mean that your pet cannot be lost or stolen.
Close your yard well or tie it with a safety strap. If you opt for the first option, make sure that the fence is high enough to make it impossible to jump. In addition, its depth should also be about 12 to 20 cm below ground level, since your pet could dig and exit.
When you go for a walk, always use a leash and never leave your pet unsupervised. It is common for dogs to be stolen or injured with the rope itself when left alone with the leash.
Nowadays, some GPS tracking device for dog can set up a wireless fence, with which you will be alerted when your dogs step out of the safe zone, via phone message.
ALWAYS SUPERVISE YOUR PET
A lost pet is a pet that was not being supervised.
Caring for your pet goes beyond putting a simple go in your garden. It means not leaving her alone for long periods of time while you are out, or leaving her in the car for several hours while you do other things.
Most of the time, it is the boredom itself that makes your pet escape.
Choose to accommodate everything, so that your dog feels safe and happy before you leave, or ask someone to take care of your animal while you are working.
PUT A MICROCHIP
This small implant contains the essential information that will allow the veterinarian or animal shelter to identify your pet by simply using a scanner.
The reality is that there are hundreds of dogs that disappear every year and are recovered thanks to the technology of microchips.
In case someone finds your pet, they can take it to a veterinarian or animal shelter to read the identification data housed in the microchip.
>> Also read, Microchip vs Dog Tracker – Which One Does Your Dog Really Need?
STERILIZE YOUR PET
Very few people are aware that an unneutered pet is more likely to roam in search of a partner.
In addition to its potential loss, if your pet is not sterilized it is likely to breed and lead to more homeless animals.
TRAIN YOUR PET
Trained pets are less likely to end up in a shelter, because they have better behavior.
Train yourself to train your pet and get valuable information about the maintenance and care of your animals that will be essential to prevent your dog from getting lost. In this way, you reduce errors by carelessness and get your dog to obey a series of commands.
In addition to preventing their loss, with training you get to strengthen the bond with your pet, so it will be more difficult for you to get bored and decide to go in search of fun.
However, although even with training, many pets choose to follow their own instincts, communication with your pet improves if you train it. This can make the difference between a pet that plays with you and stays by your side, from which it leaves your life forever.
USE AN IDENTIFICATION PLATE
A metal plate with identification must always include at least one contact telephone number.
It is true that it may be uncomfortable to put your name or address on the label, but this information is crucial if your pet is lost and someone tries to help you get it back. On this website you can find all the information about custom metal sheets that you can use to protect your beloved pet.
KEEP THE VITAL INFORMATION OF YOUR PET
It is recommended that you have some basic documents about your pet that you can consult at any time.
I mean your vaccination history and a color photograph. The reason? Very simple: if your pet disappears, you can use these documents directly to ask for help from neighbors, shelter workers or the police. Everything is to return your friend to your home.