National Lost Dog Awareness Day

National Lost Dog Awareness Day

The 23rd of April is National Lost Dog Awareness Day, a day dedicated to educating the public about lost dog prevention. Homeward Bound has created a list of the top four preventative methods to keep your dog from becoming lost.

Below are some steps to take to ensure that your dog will not wander off on their own and become lost and what to do if you do lose your dog.

How Do I keep my Dog From Becoming Lost?

Leash

When you are out walking with your canine, it is a good idea to always keep your dog on a leash. New areas bring new smells, new people, and new animals, which can all be very enticing for your pup. Having your dog leashed gives you more control of the situation and everyone is a little bit safer.

Fenced Yard

When you and your dog are enjoying outdoor time at home, a fenced in yard is nice to have as your pup can still enjoy a spacious area to run around, but they are safely secured on your property. Fenced in yards also give you peace of mind knowing that your dog can enjoy the outdoors without you needing to be right there next to them.

Dog Cable

These have several names such as a dog run, an outdoor line, etc., but the goal is the same. If you do not have a fenced in yard and a leash is too short for your dog to enjoy some freedom, a dog cable is a great compromise. Attach the cable or line to a tree or buy one that screws into the ground and then let your pup roam! These must be used with caution as a dog could become tangled in the cable.

Consider Spaying or Neutering

While this may seem unrelated to lost dog prevention, research has been showing trends of an increase in roaming behavior with dogs who are not spayed or neutered. To lessen the likelihood of your dog creating their own outdoor adventures far from home, schedule an appointment with your vet to further explore the spay/neuter process.

How Can I Make Sure My Lost Dog Will Get Back to Me?

How Can I Make Sure My Lost Dog Will Get Back to Me?

Identification Tags

Most dogs wear collars these days which makes it easy to attach a simple ID tag with your dog’s name and your phone number. In this case, if someone does find your dog, they have a direct line to you. An additional option is to get a customized collar with your information embroidered or printed on it.

Microchip

Another very helpful tool when identifying a lost dog is a microchip. Local humane societies, vet offices, and animal control officers have microchip scanners. If a dog is scanned and does have a microchip, they are immediately identified as belonging to you meaning they will be back in your loving arms as soon as possible. You must be sure to register the microchip so there will be a record connecting you to the dog. The microchip company will contact you when a report of your microchipped dog is given to them.

How Can I Find My Lost Dog?

Contact Granite State Dog Recovery

Granite State Dog Recovery is dedicated to reuniting lost dogs with their families. This volunteer run non-profit is an invaluable source to have on your side should your dog go missing, They have put together a quick action plan and can assist you with creating fliers for your lost dog, lend equipment to help you find your lost dog, and even help you trap lost dogs that have been seen but not able to be caught. Contact them at 1-855-639-LOST or lost@granitestatedogrecovery.com Be prepared to share a recent picture of your dog with them.

Thank you for helping us spread the word about lost dog prevention! Do you have any ideas to add to our list to prevent missing animals in the Lakes Region? Feel free to share in the comments below!

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