Discussing The Month-Long Holiday That Helps Prevent Pets From Becoming Lost
When people think of July, they often think of the beginning of Summer, cookouts, BBQ food, fireworks, and the 4th of July. However, the month of July also contains a very important pet themed holiday called National Lost Pet Prevention Month. Not familiar with this holiday? Then you’re in luck because My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting has you covered! This article will cover everything you need to know about National Lost Pet Prevention Month. We will also include some general advice on how to keep your pets safe and secure from getting lost or running away.
How The Holiday Started
This incredible pet-themed holiday was founded in 2014 by a company called PetHub. PetHub is a nationwide organization that works to return lost pets to their owners. They are a 24/7 business that offers resources, networking, and products for pet owners. Pet Hub has introduced many products that help lost pets get returned to their owners, such as the QR code ID tag.
This organization specializes in returning lost pets to their owners. However, they also recognized that prevention is far more effective than tracking down a lost pet. That’s why they founded National Lost Pet Prevention Month. The purpose of this holiday is to save pets before they get lost. By raising awareness about the dangers of lost pets, they hope more pet owners will take the initiative to take preventative measures.
Lost Pet Facts
It’s no coincidence that National Lost Pet Prevention Month takes place in July. More pets go missing this time of year than any other time of year due to 4th of July fireworks. Many dogs & cats get frightened from the sounds of fireworks that continue to be set off throughout the beginning of July. As a result, many of these dogs & cats will run away out of fear.
According to the A.S.P.C.A. (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) less than 3% of pets that end up in shelters will ever be returned to their home. Additionally, only 17% of lost dogs ever manage to find their way home. Essentially, the odds of a lost pet being returned home is very low. However, there are some things you can do to improve those odds.
Lost Pet Prevention
The best way to guarantee your pet will be returned home safely, if lost, is to take preventative measures. Ideally, we never want our pets to run away or become lost. But, it is a realistic possibility. Here are a few ways you can help prevent your pet from becoming lost before it happens.
Proper I.D. Tags
We highly suggest making sure your pets I.D. tags are visible and up-to-date. Having proper and readable I.D. tags are essential for anyone who finds your lost pets. Most people will attempt to return missing pets to their owners, but they can’t do so without a phone number or address. PetHub also makes QR code ID tags that make it super easy to contact the owners of a lost pet.
Microchipping
Another great way to make your pets more identifiable is through the use of pet microchips. A pet microchip is a small device that is implanted underneath your pet’s skin (usually on the back of the neck). The chip is about the size of a large grain of rice and it uses R.F.I. (radio frequency identification) technology.
Both animal shelters and veterinarian hospitals have scanners that are used to retrieve information from the microchip. These microchips contain important information such as your address, contact info, vaccinations, etc. These devices help properly identify a pet so they can be quickly returned to their owners.
Secure Your Yard & Home
Your pet will only become lost if they are given the opportunity to escape. We recommend ensuring that your home, lawn, and property is secure and as escape-proof as possible. This includes looking for things like ripped or torn window screens, holes in or below your fence, etc.
Additionally, we recommend taking extra precautions if you know when fireworks will be set off in your area. Try keeping your pets in a secluded area or room where they can’t easily escape. A sound proof room or basement will help prevent your dog from hearing the loud fireworks going off. For more information about creating a safe environment for your dogs, check out our previous blog How To Manage Your Dog During 4th Of July Weekend.
A Holiday That Makes A Difference
We hope you enjoyed this article and that you found the aforementioned information useful. Having a pet get lost or go missing is a terrible experience. That’s why National Lost Pet Prevention Month strives and encourages people to stop your pet from going missing before it happens. Our pets are important which is why this holiday is so important too. We hope you and your pets have a fun and safe summer!