BEST PRACTICES: With recent "rash" of lost dogs, and dogs bolting on transfer from rescue to foster/adoptive home, we thought it timely to republish "HOW NOT TO LOSE YOUR PET".... please consider adding below to adoption contracts...
LOST PETS - PREVENTION IS KEY!
- Do not leave pets tied up in public places, even for a minute. They get stolen, or, they can get spooked by a noise or person, get themselves loose, and run.
- “Terms of Adoption” should include never leaving animals unattended outside to prevent kidnappings, as well as a requirement for notifying rescue immediately if pet goes missing.
- Print C4P Amber Alerts for Lost Pets info and provide to new guardian on adoption.
- Use extra caution and secure pets when storms are coming / “firecracker” nights.
- Don’t leave pets unattended in back yards – they are prey to large birds and coyotes.
- Have a recent picture on hand, including size relationship (beside a person or object) - as proof of ownership
- Always have visible identification on your pet in form of name tag with your direct phone numbers and also city license tag - you may eventually need the City’s help!
- Always have a back up microchip – and make sure the issuing company has updated information every year. Consider leaving chip info in the rescue’s name, with secondary emergency contact info, not in adopter's name.
- Make sure pets’ collar and/or harness is snug and cannot slip over its head.
- Make sure there are no holes under fence; that fences are in good repair and there is nothing against the fence that a dog can jump onto, and then over the fence.
- With rescues, take them out into yard on leash for the first couple of weeks to ensure they are comfortable. Gradually increase their knowledge of their new neighbourhoods, but keep them on leash until you are absolutely certain they are under “voice control”.
- Because some of rescues tried to bolt out the door when first brought home, keep the leash attached to them for up to a week. That way if they do get out, there is a leash for someone to grab if they can get close enough. And just as important is if they do get away, a dog at large with a leash attached is going to be noticed so reports of the dog will come in much sooner and you will know that it is your rescue.
- When adopting dogs out, make every effort to familiarize them to the new area before they go there permanently.
- Use management measures to ensure pet doesn’t bolt through door (baby gates, tethers, crates, leashes).
- Teach “sit stays” at the door, to habituate pet to not react negatively or impulsively to an open door.
- When walking your (new) dog, have a really good grip on the leash with both hands - one guiding the dog, and another with your thumb/hand through the loop in case dog bolts.
- Have a list of sources for live traps and their sizes so you know where to get them quickly.
- Maintain a list of vet clinics (address, telephone number, email, fax) by area.
- Eventually, you will need to go on vacation, be away from your pet. Plan in advance how this will play out. Acclimatize them to a local kennel, or, acclimatize them to your mother in law’s place – wherever you are going to place them temporarily, make sure it is not an “unknown” and therefore threatening environment.
- Consider a GPS dog-tracking collar. System is designed for pet owners to quickly and accurately locate their pets by using GPS technology. It consists of a portable, handheld receiver that displays information received from the GPS-enabled collar on your dog. The handheld device uses a LCD screen to show the location and direction of your pet every few seconds and shows you the dog’s current movements.
Tracking Systems can also be used to set up an invisible fence. When your pet breaks the barrier the GPS Dog Collar Tracking System will send you an audible alert. This invention is a real savior for owners of those escape artists! Websites for reference: www.garmin.com/
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