Prevent Your Pet from Getting Lost – and Resources to Help If It Does

If you've ever had a pet become lost, you know the worry and concern. Every year stray cats and dogs come into community animal shelters, and many times those pets don't return home.

From unlocked gates to unleashed animals, pets of all types can find themselves roaming city streets or mountain forests. There are several easy ways to prevent this from happening, ideas to help you find your furry friend if indeed it does become separated from you.

Make sure your fences are secure and the gates are locked. Whether it's your kids, the power guy, or the person installing your new brick patio …backyard gates can become accidentally unlocked. Double and triple-check your fences and gates for potential pet escape hatches.

Many pets are afraid of loud noises, like thunderstorms and fireworks. Ensure your anxious animal is somewhere safe during storms, parties, and festivities. If your dog or cat is especially scared of noises, consider getting a Thundershirt to calm him/her. Learn more at http://www.thundershirt.com/ .

Walk your dog or cat on a leash. Pets, especially dogs, can be easily distracted by squirrels and other animals. Running off to chase something can mean never seeing your beloved pet again. Leashes keep him/her securely with you.

Have your pet wear a collar with ID tag and seriously considering having a microchip implanted in your pet. Outer identification will help your dog or cat return home more quickly if a Good Samaritan finds it or if they turn your pet into the local shelter. Shelters use scanners to determine if the animal has a microchip. If your pet does have a microchip, make sure the information is current so a shelter worker can contact you.

Purchase and use a tracking device, such as the Marco Polo. My husband and I have a springer spaniel and she wears the Marco Polo tool every time we go outdoors – she's one of those dogs that gets easily distracted and loves to chase birds, squirrels, etc. These GPS-style trackers are amazing technologies.

If your pet does become lost, visit your local shelter. Many animals don't get back home simply because no one comes to look for and claim them. Our pets rely on us to take care of them, to be as devoted to them as they are to us, and one way we show that faithfulness is to search for them when they become lost. We look for our children if they get lost – do the same for the other creatures that depend on you for care. Don't just call the shelter, visit, and visit often. Don't rely on someone who doesn't know your animal to tell you if it’s there or not – go see for yourself.

There are many fascinating stories about wayward animals traveling 35, 100, even 200 miles to get back home. Even the movies showcase the determination pets can have to return home (“Homeward Bound 1 and 2”...). But, don’t expect that – instead, make it easy for your pets by insuring their safety at and away from home so they don't get lost in the first place. And, should your animal get away from you, be a responsible, caring owner and search for your pet.

Below are a few resources that can help you keep your pet from going astray or helping you find it should it become lost:

http://www.petrescue.com/petlibrary/pet-rescue/how-to-find-a-lost-cat-or-dog/

https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/lost-and-found-dogs/find-lost-dog/ .

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/04/how-to-track-a-lost-animal/index.htm s:

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/lost-pet-tech-comparing-cat-and-dog-tracking-collars

http://eurekaproducts.com/ .