Last year, PetRadar indicated that there was a more than 50% spike in lost pets during the summer than in the winter of 2023. June of 2023 was the month with the highest number of missing pets at 8,435 while February of 2023 was the month with the lowest number of missing pets at 4,273. Because of the high frequency of missing pets during the summer months, PetHub launched Lost Pet Prevention Month in 2014 to spark more in-depth discussions on the ways to keep pets safe at home with their family. 

So why are there more missing pets during the summer? 

Because of those open doors and windows. Windows and doors will inevitably be open when the air is warm and you want to let some fresh air into the house. However, if your pets aren’t used to that indoor-outdoor lifestyle, they may see those open windows and doors as a new and interesting escape route. Sometimes guests aren’t used to having pets around and can leave doors and gates open, also creating space for a great escape for your dog.

Because of the festivities with loud noises. Summer means more gatherings with the nicer weather and some holiday celebrations, which results in loud noises and lots of people coming and going from the house. Fireworks, loud music and just too many people making noise can cause your pet to run away from the noise to find a calmer environment, triggering their fight-or-flight instinct. Having visitors coming and going can also be distressing for your pet and make them anxious because they see strangers entering. This can have them running and hiding somewhere outside, especially if doors are left open longer than usual for an escape to happen.

Because of the summer surroundings. The outdoors are a little more enticing during the warmer months, which means your pet will spend more time exploring outside. They can become overstimulated with new sights, sounds and smells, causing their behaviors to be less predictable and increase their chances of traveling too far away from home and getting lost, getting chased by predators, being involved in traffic accidents or being stolen.

Because of changing routines. Summer months bring on a whole new routine since the kids are home, everyone wants to indulge in some outdoor activities and vacations are in full swing. This can mean your pet is either brought along or left with some new surroundings and some changes to their usual routine, leaving them to possibly explore a little too much or find somewhere to hide because of a disruption in their normal. 

Curiosity can get the best of our furry friends, especially when summer can bring about new scents, people and environments. Outdoor activities become a staple during the warmer months as well and pet parents need to be proactive in keeping their pets from getting out and lost. While we know that the summer season sees more missing pets than winter, let’s look at 8 ways pet parents can help to avoid having their pet go missing.

1. Make sure your pet wears an ID tag all the time.

2. Get your dog microchipped and keep your information updated.

3. Always use the right size leash and collar for your pet. The correct fit means that your dog cannot slip out and the leash is strong enough for the type of breed and size dog you have.

4. Secure your yard and make sure there are no holes in the fence or in the grass below and surrounding the fence for them to slip out. Make sure they cannot crawl underneath or jump over the fence.

5. Supervise your dog. No matter how well trained your dog is, it’s important to not let them wander off by themselves.

6. Practice your recall training daily. A reliable recall is the most important safety technique you can teach your dog.

7. If you’re hosting a party, remind all guests to close doors and gates after entering through them.

8. If parties or fireworks stress your dog out, let them have a place of their own that is quieter and calmer for them with some favorite toys. You can also put on some music or the TV to help drown out the noise.

Keeping an eye on your pet all the time is the key to keeping your pet from becoming another statistic. Knowing your pets' tendencies and knowing when their behaviors change is also a great way to realize if something is wrong and to help stop a possible escape before it happens. Remember, summer brings warm weather, distractions and noises so always check in with your furry friends to see how they are doing.

Going Mutts Pet Services will always provide a peace of mind while we  walk, check on and stay with your favorite furry friends. We know that they are more than just your pet, which is why we take pride in always keeping you in the loop with pictures and ‘pup’ dates. If you’re looking for a local business you can trust and rely on, contact Going Mutts Pet Services to see how we can help you with your pet care needs!

Sources:

https://www.petradar.org/en/articles/national-lost-pet-prevention-month