Discussing The Very Important Holiday That Raises Awareness About Lost Dogs And Celebrates The Reunions Of Lost Dogs & Their Owners
April 23rd is known and celebrated as National Lost Dog Awareness Day. This is a very important holiday as it helps raise awareness about how often dogs are lost and how important it is that they find their way home. This article will cover everything you need to know about this impactful holiday including the history, the message, and how you can get involved in National Lost Dog Awareness Day.
The History
National Lost Dog Awareness Day was first established on April 23, 2014 by Lost Dogs Of America. Lost Dogs Of America is a collective network of websites and Facebook pages where people can file a report on their missing dog. These missing dog reports are then shared amongst the local Facebook communities that pertain to the area where the dog went missing. This is a free service that aims to help dog owners find their missing furry friends as quickly as possible.
Lost Dogs Of America
Over 75,000 lost dogs have been found and returned to their owners thanks to the efforts of Lost Dogs Of America. The Lost Dogs Of America Facebook pages and websites span all 50 states of the U.S. giving everyone in America an opportunity to report and share information regarding their lost dogs. The Facebook pages allow real time posts, updates, and conversations about anyone’s lost dogs at any time. The state based websites were created to share resources, articles, and ideas that could potentially help dog owners find their lost furry friends.
The Overall Message
National Lost Dog Awareness Day aims to remind people about how often dogs accidentally get separated from their families and how important it is to reunite them.
Here is a direct quote from Lost Dogs Of America. “When a dog goes missing, many families give up looking for their lost pet. National Lost Dog Awareness Day was created to give hope to the families still looking for their dogs and remind the public that “not all stray dogs are homeless dogs”.”
Lost Dog Facts
According to the American Humane Association, over 10 million dogs and cats are stolen or lost in the U.S. every year. This means that on average, one in three pets will become lost during their lifetimes. These are staggeringly high numbers and it’s truly tragic that many of these pets will never be reunited with their owners. A large majority of these lost animals are mistaken for being homeless animals and end up in animal shelters.
Lost Dog Prevention
The best way to avoid your dog from getting lost is to take preventative measures. Here are a few general tips that can help keep your furry friend from getting lost or stolen.
Identification:
Always keep your dog’s identification tags on their collar visible and up to date. This includes their name, your address, your phone number, and vaccinations. Investing in a quality dog collar, so it or the tags don’t fall off, is also a good idea.
Microchip:
Having your dog microchipped is a full proof way to ensure that your dog is identifiable. Collars and tags can be removed or torn off, but microchips are embedded underneath a dog’s skin and can’t be easily removed. Microchips are administered by veterinarians and used to identify pets, similar to a social security number.
Regular Walks In Your Area:
Taking your dog for routine walks around your neighborhood is not only good for their health, but also good for their familiarity with your neighborhood. Dogs are typically very perceptive animals and have been known to travel/navigate their way home over long distances. Having your dog become familiar with the area surrounding your home will help give them an advantage in returning home should they ever escape and become lost.
Get To Know Your Neighbors:
It’s important to be well acquainted with your nearby neighbors. The stronger your relationships are with your immediate neighbors, the more likely they are to keep an eye on your property and your pets. Should your dog escape your property, you want to have neighbors that are caring and willing enough to return them if found.
Hire People You Can Trust:
Dogs are wonderful creatures, but can sometimes be unpredictable. The last thing you want is your dog getting loose or running away during a dog walk. When it comes to hiring a pet sitter or dog walker, make sure it’s someone that is reliable, dependable, and knowledgeable. Thankfully, My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting meets all of those criteria! With over 10 years of professional pet sitting experience, we know how to keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe. Click here to check out our services or give us a call at 856-217-2781.
How You Can Participate
We encourage you to get involved with this wonderful pet themed educational holiday this April 23rd. Try taking some of the aforementioned preventative measures such as microchipping or keeping your dog’s tags up to date. You can also participate in this wonderful holiday by spreading the word about National Lost Dog Awareness Day. Share this article with others and tell others about this amazing holiday on social media. The more people that you reach, the more dogs we can potentially save and return to their families.