Tools to Prevent the Loss of Your Pet

Every day pets go missing, and families experience the heartache of wondering when or if they will ever see their beloved dog or cat again. When this type of tragedy occurs, most pet owners are reduced to posting "lost" signs or sending out social medial messages to all of their friends. Capping off those efforts are the worried trips and phone calls to the local animal shelter in the hopes that someone may have turned in the lost animal. Accompanying those hopes is the ever-present dread that the unspeakable has happened. Fortunately, there are some tools to help you prevent this type of dangerous situation from happening and they start with your willingness to share your pet information.

Add a Collar and a Tag

Your first step toward protecting your pet is to provide a collar with an ID tag and as much contact information as possible. At the very least, be sure that your phone number is on the tag. This provides a quick and convenient way for people to give you a call if they notice your family pet roaming around in their yard. The statistics regarding how many missing pets are found without identification are scary. Very few of these pets make their way home again. It’s true that cats can be persnickety when it comes to collars, but this form of ID is one of the best ways to share your cat information when she wanders.

Microchipping

One of the easiest ways to constantly keep track of your pets is by using a microchip and then registering your pet. This tiny device can be easily implanted beneath the skin. The implant is just about the size of a grain of rice and once it has been put into place, your pet will never notice it. If your dog slips free of his collar and lands in a shelter, the unique number on the microchip will allow the vet to contact you. You need to know that the microchip does not store your contact information or any pet information, and it doesn’t act as a GPS. You need to be sure that you’re using other tools to ensure your pet’s safety.

Licensing (Sometimes It’s the Law)

Of course, licensing your pet is a valuable tool when it comes to keeping your pet safe and identifying him when you want to recover him. This is especially important if your pet has a high financial value and would be a temptation to thieves. It is also important if you live in an area where there are many pets. Your cat might easily look like several others in the pound. If you have proof of ownership through licensing, and perhaps the microchip, you should be able to easily reclaim him. Your pet is a beloved member of the family; protect her and your family by sharing pet information through an appropriate collar and tag, licensing, and microchipping.