Only You Can Save Your Pet
Tonight (Feb 4) when I checked for updates on my Facebook page, Lost & Found Ohio Pets, this was one of the most recent posts:
The most recent update on the post was at the bottom. Kane had been put to sleep at the Lucas County Dog Pound. You’ll note that this notice was shared to my page by the dog’s owner on Feb 2., and that the update was today, on the 4th.
The reason why I am calling your attention to this, is because from the time Kane went missing on the 31st, to the time he was put down at the pound, was 4 days. You’ll also note by the photo, that Kane was a pit bull or pit bull mix, which did not work in his favor. Additionally, you will note that the lost notice says he was wearing a red collar.
Now, I don’t know for sure, but my guess would be that in that short of a time, he arrived at the pound with his collar on. Even if there were no tags attached, it would indicate that he belonged to somebody.
That didn’t save him.
I don’t know how crowded the Lucas County Pound was that day. But even if it wasn’t full, they have to plan for the next day…so the stray, unidentified pets that have been held for three days are on the kill list. If they had to choose…they’d keep the ones that they felt were the “most adoptable”. Since 75% of the pit bulls who enter shelters are killed…my guess is that ‘pit bull’ is not on their most adoptable list. And how Kane responded in that strange, scary, noisy place would have been another factor in deciding his fate. If he acted afraid, or withdrawn, or agitated, or if he were injured, he was a goner for sure. (Do you know how your pet would act at the dog pound?)
This listing and the outcome breaks my heart.
There are 4 things that might have saved Kane’s life, and that is why I am blogging this. To LET YOU KNOW that ONLY YOU CAN SAVE YOUR PET.
Don’t fool yourself by thinking that your pet will never go missing. Let’s face it: accidents happen. No matter how safe we try to keep our pets, they get out. They run. They explore. If they are fortunate enough to be picked up by animal control, their time is limited. And nothing stands between them and death, except YOU. Give yourself, and them, the best chance of being reunited.
1. License your pet. Today. A license is their ticket home if they end up in Animal Control, and it’s Ohio law.
2. Keep an updated I.D. on your pet at all times (if possible)
3. Microchip your pet – AND DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER THE CHIP with your information. AND DON’T FORGET TO UPDATE your info if you move, or if your phone number changes.
4. If your pet goes missing, there are lots of groups like Lost & Found Ohio Pets that will help you get the word out…but nothing can take the place of your presence. Check your city pound, and your county pound DAILY. You must go there IN PERSON…because the way you describe your pet over the phone may not be the way the person 
who answered would describe your pet. Take a photo with you. Give them multiple ways to contact you.
These four things can mean the difference between life and death for your pet.
For more tips on what to do when your pet is missing, or how to prepare yourself for the possibility, pick up a copy of Finding Fido. [also available on kindle] Every pet owner should have one. 100% of the proceeds from sales benefit the Beagle Freedom Project.
