Pet Theft Awareness: How to Keep Your Fur Babies Safe
One in three pets will go missing at some point in their lives and more than eighty percent of missing pets are never found. Those are some scary numbers if you’re a pet parent; especially since the threat of pet thefts in the US affects about seventy percent of all homes. Becoming a victim of pet theft is every pet owner’s worst nightmare. Two minutes may not seem like a long time, but it can only take minutes of a distraction for someone to snatch your pet and take off. Up to two million pets are stolen each year; let’s see how we can keep that statistic from involving you.
Let’s start with why.
Monetary gain is the number one reason why pets are stolen. Thieves are looking to make some extra cash and purebreds are usually the most common victims since their pedigree can be worth thousands of dollars. They can easily resell them online, through a newspaper or even to a puppy mill as breeders. People will even steal pets because they know the family will offer a sizable reward. Some people will sell stolen and lost animals to veterinary institutions and for research purposes for testing and biomedical experimentation. These groups are often referred to as ‘Class B dealers’ because they are brokers who acquire animals through flea markets, newspaper ads and other less appropriate sources.
Dog fighting is another huge reason why pets go missing. Typically stolen pets are used as ‘bait dogs’ to train fighting dogs. They are used to taunt or test a fighting dog’s temperament, usually with brutal consequences for the ‘bait dog.’ Larger breeds can also be stolen to be tested as a dog fighting candidate.
Small dogs are at the top of the list as targets for thieves, since small dogs are easier to grab and run with. One of the most targeted and in ‘high demand’ small dogs is the French bulldog. Other popular smaller dogs that are targeted include Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, Maltese, Boston terriers and chihuahuas. Larger breeds that are often targeted by thieves include labrador retrievers, pit bull terriers, Siberian huskies and German shepherds. These larger breeds are being stolen to be ‘bait dogs’ or to become a dog fighting candidate unfortunately.
So how can your furry family member not become part of the 2 million stolen pets each year?
✔Get your pet neutered or spayed. Purebred pups that have not been sterilized are worth way more to a puppy mill than a pup that has been altered. Do your part and have your pet spayed or neutered as soon as they can be.
✔Keep a watchful eye on your pet - especially when outdoors. Dogs alone in a yard or roaming freely are easy targets for dognappers, so make sure you’re always with your pet and they’re not given too much freedom from your watchful eye. Keep your pets indoors when you’re not home or if you’re just going out for a quick trip.
✔Keep your dog on a leash. It might be common sense, but keeping your pet leashed in a public place and while on a walk is a great way to keep them connected with you and less available for a dognapper to grab them.
✔Properly identify your pets. A collar with an up-to-date ID tag and license is a great way to stay proactive in wandering and theft cases.
✔Get them microchipped. This can add an extra layer of security to your pet if anything does happen to them.
✔Don’t leave your dog alone in the car. If you’re planning an extra long shopping trip and want your pet to come with, think again. Leaving them alone for extended periods of time in the car can actually become a way for thieves to grab your pet - smashing a window and grabbing your pet while you’re shopping can be a hard reality.
✔Take lots of pictures of your dog. You may already be doing this - guilty as charged over here! - but taking lots of pictures, especially of different angles and after grooming sessions can help when identifying your pet if they get lost or have been stolen. This photo documentation is great to have on hand as well for flyers or social media blasts.
✔Keep your walking routine varied. Sticking to a walking routine is a great way to make sure your dog gets their daily exercise, but make sure you vary your walking paths and times to keep dognappers from learning your routines.
Staying proactive in your pet's safety is the best way to keep your pet from being stolen or wandering off. If you believe your pet has been stolen or lost, take action immediately and stay persistent in your search. The first thing to do is to notify your local authority and/or animal control so you can file a report. You can also follow these 5 simple steps to help aid in your search:
Make a flyer with their name, breed, color and any markings that they may have on them. Include where the last place your pet was seen along with a phone number that can be reached at any time of the day or night.
Contact your local shelters and post flyers on their community boards; check up on them once in a while to make sure that they stay posted. You can also leave fliers at local pet stores, veterinary offices, rescues or dog parks. Anywhere that pet parents congregate is a great way to help spread the word and have more eyes on the lookout.
Monitor pets for sale or pet adoption ads in the newspaper and online. This is where thieves are looking to make a profit from taking your pet.
Walk around the area you last saw them, calling their name. A great time to do this is in the evening hours after rush hour and traffic, since the noise will have died down and your pet may hear you better.
If someone has claimed to have found your pet, ask lots of questions and keep the questions specific especially if you are offering a reward.
With up to two million pets stolen every year, no pet owner wants to be another statistic. The best way to steer clear of being another number is to be proactive with your pet’s safety, especially when it comes to leaving them alone at any time. Always keep your eye on your surroundings and remember that there is always a pet parent community out there willing to help.
And speaking of a pet parent community, Going Mutts wants to help you as well! We take pet safety very seriously when it comes to our furry clients as well as accountability and communication. We would love to help care for your pets when it comes to daily exercise with dog walks and playtime during the day while you’re away. We always keep our pet parents in the know and we would love to help the Lancaster community with their pet care needs, so contact us today to see how we can be of service!
Sources:
https://www.animalbehaviorcollege.com/blog/lifestyle/pet-theft-awareness-how-to-protect-your-pet/
