Did you know nearly 2 million pets are stolen each year? Sadly, most of them are never recovered. On Feb. 14, Pet Theft Awareness Day, learn more about how you can protect your pet from becoming a victim.
Pets are often taken from backyards, unlocked cars and public places where pets are unattended. People who abduct pets may end up selling them to a breeder or to a research facility that practices animal testing. Sometimes these pets are adopted under false pretenses from “Free to a Good Home” advertisements.
Here are some tips to help you keep your pet safe:
– Never leave your pet unattended, such as outside a store or in your car.
– Keep your pet indoors, especially when you are not home.
– Provide proper identification for your pet with a collar, tag and microchip.
– Keep your pet on a leash when you go outside. Don’t let your pet roam free in the neighborhood.
– Spay or neuter your pet so he has fewer tendencies to roam. Spayed or neutered pets are also less likely to be stolen.
– If you must re-home your pet, make sure you know as much as you can about the adoptive pet parent(s) and your pet’s potential new home. Do not advertise your pet as “Free to a Good Home”; instead, partner with a rescue group to ensure the safest adoption possible.
– If you suspect your pet has been stolen, contact nearby animal shelters as well as local law enforcement.