Protecting Your Pets
Important Tips for Recovering Lost Pets
Deanna Vasquez
Do you own a dog or a cat who likes to try to slip away? Do they get so excited by the prospect of going outside that they often ignore your calls as they gleefully run down the street? In an ideal world, you would be able to keep your pet from getting away. Unfortunately, this isn't an ideal world and so you may end up spending hours or days searching for your pet to bring him or her back home. In order to increase your chances of bringing your pet home safely every time, here are some tips.
Update your pet's ID tags:
Although obvious, this simple step can so often be neglected or completely forgotten when you move or change phone numbers. Having out of date tags is almost as bad as having no tags at all, since anyone who finds your pet will be unable to contact you.
For the best chances of having your pet returned, find out from your veterinarian if it's okay if you use their office number on the tags as well as your own. This way, if your pet slips away before you have a chance to update the tags, anyone who finds your pet will still be able to let your vet know that they've been found and then your vet can contact you.
Have recent photos:
Every 4-6 months, try to remember to take a photo of your pet against a clean and contrasting background. Animals can change a lot in just a few months and may look completely different to a stranger if they've never seen your pet before. Having a recent photo will help when you decide to write a lost pet listing to help locate your pet. Having him or her against a clean and boring background means that viewers of your lost pet listing will be able to get a clear look at your pet and won't be distracted by the squeaky toys or the cat tree under or around your pet.
Leave smelly things outside:
If your pet is super excited about slipping outside, he or she can have serious problems remembering where home is once that excitement wears off. In these instances, a lost pet listing can be helpful but sometimes your pet can find his or her way home by themselves. To do this, your pet will need to be able to follow a familiar scent. For cats, you might want to leave their used litter outside for a while so that they can smell home. For dogs, go for a run around the block or otherwise get a shirt sweaty and leave this unwashed shirt outside somewhere safe. If your pet is somewhere relatively nearby, they will be able to smell these familiar scents and will be more likely to come home.
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My husband’s mom absolutely adores playing with her pets. She currently has 2 dogs and 12 cats. Every day she spends at least two hours feeding and caring for her animals. My mother-in-law keeps a couple of her cats inside of her home. The rest of her animals aren’t allowed inside the house. However, this sweet lady always ensures they’re warm during the harsh winter months. Each of the canines have a spacious dog house to lounge in. At night, my mother-in-law places her cats in an old shed. Whenever one of her pets displays the signs of a potential illness, she immediately takes him or her to a nearby veterinarian. On this blog, I hope you will discover tips to help you protect your beloved pets from harm.