Millions of pets disappear from home each year. Many pet owners assume their own dog or cat would never stray from home, either because the pet has shown no interest in wandering or because there are no known means of escape.
What are the chances? According to the lost pet recovery experts at HomeAgain:
- 1 in 3 pets goes missing during its lifetime
- 41% of lost cats are considered indoor-only cats
- 8 to 10 million pets stray each year
- Without ID, 90% of lost pets will not return home
- Getting lost is the #1 cause of death for pets
How do pets get out? They:
- Bolt through an electric fence
- Walk out a door or gate that’s mistakenly been left open
- Flee from a thunderstorm or fireworks
- Wander into unfamiliar territory while on vacation
- Disappear during an emergency
- Get stolen while unattended
- Crawl out of holes created during home renovation/construction
- Develop wanderlust as they age, due to cognitive loss
- Sneak out when you prop the door open to sign for a delivery or carry in the groceries
- Pop out a screen to chase a neighbor’s pet or wild animal
Speak up!
Sometimes, a pet’s disappearance can be traced to a door or gate that’s been left open. The risk goes up when unfamiliar people are entering and exiting the house. Some pets find a safe corner to hide in, while other pets attempt to run as far from the house as possible.
All people who have access to your house should be made aware that pets live in the home. Ask visitors to be vigilant about keeping doors and gates shut when visiting and working. (When practical, confine your pet to a room that you alone will access.)
Whom do you tell? Consider the most frequent visitors to your home:
- Family members, especially children
- Friends and overnight guests
- Service workers, including meter readers, maids, and repairmen
- Construction crew, roofers, and handymen
- Pet sitters
Of course, no plan is foolproof, so it’s best to have backup. Make sure your pet has a registered microchip (we think HomeAgain is best) to increase its chances of returning home to you.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to have your pet ‘chipped, if it isn’t already. A simple office visit is all that’s necessary – no surgery, no anesthesia needed.
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[…] This article originally published on June 4, 2012. […]