Fido on the loose

How to avoid a runaway pet, and what to do if it happens 

By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ
Posted 2/24/21

REGION — It seems like every telephone pole has a sign, and they’re all heartbreaking. 

Someone’s dog is lost. 

It may seem like missing pets are on the rise, but …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Fido on the loose

How to avoid a runaway pet, and what to do if it happens 

Posted

REGION — It seems like every telephone pole has a sign, and they’re all heartbreaking. 

Someone’s dog is lost. 

It may seem like missing pets are on the rise, but there’s been no change, said Beret Nearing, shelter coordinator at Catskill Animal Rescue (CARE  in Ferndale, NY. She confirmed with dog control officers and staff. 

No more dogs are missing than usual. 

But social media shares probably made it seem more common, she said.

She offered suggestions to ensure that pets don’t go missing:

• If you have a dog that likes to wander, a fenced yard is a huge plus. 

• Have appropriate collars, leashes and harnesses for your dog’s size and breed. A martingale collar prevents dogs from slipping out and getting away. Retractable leashes are not good for strong dogs. Consider a collar embroidered with your pet’s name and your phone number.

• Make sure young kids are not walking strong dogs.

• Make sure you have recent pictures of your pet.

• Microchip your pets and keep the registration current.

• Join local social media groups related to lost pets (BEFORE your pet goes missing). These groups are instrumental in quickly reuniting lost pets with their anxious families. (CARE runs an 11,000-person group on Facebook, see info below.)

If your pet runs away:

• Notify your local dog control officer, animal shelter, neighbors and your veterinarian.

• Get your pet’s picture on the lost-and-found social media sites.

• If the animal is not found on the first day, make a simple and bold poster with a recent picture of your dog, your phone numbers, where the dog was last seen, and a short description including name, breed, color and size.

Losing a pet is awful, but at least there are things you can do. Reach out. People sympathize, and they want to help. 

Catskill Animal Rescue can be reached at 845/747-9450 or online at www.catskillanimalrescue.net

Their Facebook group, devoted to lost pets, is Catskill Animal Rescue Inc.’s Sullivan County NY Lost & Found Pets.

lost, dog, runaway, pet, Sullivan County, catskill animal rescue,

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here