Animals have no concepts of the dangers outside their yards or homes. It is up to us, the owners, to protect them from the unknown.

First have proper identification on them at all times. Second keep them indoor or on a leash. And above all - Keep it under supervision.

When you leave your house. Make sure your pet is secure and indoors. If you have a tradesman in to fix something- secure your pet behind a closed door. They can easily slip out when the guy goes out for a part or tool. When you travel, keep it in a carrier or on a leash. Do not leave a pet in an unattended, unlocked car.

If for some reason it does show up missing these are some of the steps to take:
First search the house. Cats especially like to hide. Call their name. Then go outside and search the neighborhood. Don't panic and Don't give up. Many pets are found days or months later.

Place food and water outside to attract them if they are not far.

Once you know they are lost:
1. Contact the animal agencies and police departments.
2. Search the house and neighborhood.
3. Advertise! Advertise! (Do not put a complete description in as spams are out there. Keep some special thing like the color of its collar or a special marking so if someone calls they can describe it to you. That way you will know if they have your pet or it is a spam.)
4. Notify other people (neighbors, vets, newspapers, mail person, and delivery people)
5. If you suspect theft- file a complaint with the police department.
6. If you were wise enough to tattoo- call the tattoo organization.
7. Don't give up hope. Keep trying.

To help prevent this - don't let them run loose and Please SPAY & NEUTER!

Unscrupulous people watch the "lost pet" ads. In the most elaborate scams,
grieving owners are telephones, often from a distant city where newspapers from other parts of the country are available. The caller says something such as, "I'm a long-haul truck driver and when I recently passed through your town I saw a dog just like the one you described running loose in heavy traffic. I knew it would be killed so I took it back home. I figured nobody cared enough about it to keep it safe. Your ad made me feel bad, and I'll return the pet if you'll wire the money to send it back."
This is followed by a hefty estimate of costs for air shipment, crate and money the "Good Samaritan" allegedly spent on the pet. The heartbroken owner wires the money (to an alias, of course), and never sees the pet. If you do succumb to such blandishments, arrange to send the money and a picture of the pet to a humane society in the target city. They will release the money and take the pet only if they're sure it's yours.

Then there are those who live in your area. They demand money spent on food, shelter, vet bills and what ever. Rarely do they have your pet. Always demand they meet you in a neutral place (not your house) with pets and receipts before you give they anything. Be sure not to go alone.

More common are "bunchers" - animal dealers who collect dogs and cats by sweeping through a neighborhood trailing a dog or cat in season. Strays are easily attracted. Males behind a fence, come to the fence and are shot with a tranquilizer and extracted through a cut in the barrier. This takes only a minute for an expert.

Young purebreds are peddled to pet shops, backyard breeders or puppy mills or animal auctions. Most stolen pets are hauled by the truckload out of state to unethical research labs that ask no questions. The better scientific establishments refuse strays and far prefer colonies of animals with documented background, specially bred for research. Lots of pets are used for training in dog fights. Then there are some sick people who steal pets for unspeakable cult rituals. And then there are the ones, who for fun, are stoned and abused by gangs.

OH yes make a special note here: "Free to good Home" is a "bunchers" calling card.
They will be there to get your pet in a minute. They use all kinds of tactics. Bring their kids so you think you are giving your pet to some loving children. No so.
Please read my "Giving Away" page.

Thieves laugh at electric fences over which they easily step. Even pets in fenced, locked yards and padlocked kennels can be extracted in minutes. Unless you have a security system which protects all your property, the only sake place is in a locked house or under your personal supervision. Walk dogs on a lead. If they need to run make sure it is in a secure area with your supervision.

If your pet is stolen don't expect a lot of response from authorities. They have so many crimes in America today to spend a lot of time on a stolen pet.

You should have your pet tattooed. Or have a micro chip. This is some protection in some cases but not all.