Love Your Pets? Keep Them Safe

As the weather gets nicer in most of our states, there is greater opportunity for our pets to find a way out of the yard or house and end up lost. We at Pet Line wanted to take this opportunity to give you suggestions on what you can do right now that may get your pet home faster should (s)he get lost:

1. Always license your pet with your county or city. If your pet is lost, many shelters offer extended services if the pet is wearing their license - ie. they may hold them longer, try to reach you by phone, post a flyer on your door, or return the animal before it ever enters the shelter. Plus, the money you pay helps to support shelter animals waiting for homes! Please comply with your license requirements - it saves lives, and maybe even the life of your beloved pet. If there is no licensing requirement in your area, have a personal tag made up with your CURRENT contact information.

2. Always keep your collar on your pet with its tags. We consistently hear "I just took off his collar to give him a bath!", or - "she never goes out of the house!". If the tags jingle, get a tag silencer. Make sure you have a properly fitting collar and your pet will adjust to it. Pet Line tags are a great 24 hour link between you and your pet.

3. Indoor cats need collars and tags too. They can sneak out when a delivery person arrives, during renovations to your home, or when the door just doesn't close all the way.

4. Consider getting a microchip for your pet. It is typically a simple procedure not requiring anesthesia. Be sure to learn about the cost and actual procedure before you decide. You should make an informed decision.

5. Take a photo of your pet with a digital camera and keep it current on your computer. If you don't have a digital camera, photo development locations can put your photos on disk for you. If your pet ever gets lost, you'll have a photo to show, post and print. Photos can make a HUGE difference in getting your pet back faster.

6. If you move, UPDATE everything - tags, microchips, vet information, etc. And, learn where your county or city shelter is located. Pets can travel far, or are picked up by kind strangers who take them home. They may live on the other side of town. Knowing all of your county or city shelter locations in advance can help out in a frantic situation.

7. Keep you pet safely secured inside during thunderstorms and fireworks.

8. Train your pet to stay in your yard. If your backyard is gated or fenced, consider putting a lock on the gate so that no one from the outside can open the gate - especially when you aren't home. Also, walk around your fences - especially chain-link fences or wooden fences - checking and repairing as needed. Look for holes that need to be filled in. If your dog is a digger, consider pouring concrete by your gate so that he can’t dig himself out of the yard.

9. Have your pet spayed or neutered - it reduces the roaming urge! This is also a fantastic time to have a microchip implanted.

Get your pet registered for a Pet Line tag. If your pet is lost, list him/her on Pet Line. We hear fabulous reunion stories everyday! We would prefer, however, not to hear yours - we'd rather that your pets were safe at home. But, if they do get out, we are here for you!!

January 01, 2008

For more information about this article, please call our office: (631) 736-8207

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