It’s April 17! That means that National Pet ID Week begins!
National Pet ID Week begins every year on April 17 and lasts for seven days. The aim of this national week is to bring awareness of the ongoing rate of lost or stolen pets in the United States. The ultimate goal is to prevent pets becoming lost and to prepare pet owners should their pets ever get lost. What is there to know for this year’s National Pet ID Week?
Is There a Lost or Stolen Pet Epidemic in the U.S.?
According to the latest statistics, 15% of pet owners lose their pets within a five year period, and about 33% of pets are lost or stolen at some point in their lifetime. About 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen every year. That is a lot of pets!
How many pets are found again? As of 2024, most pet owners find their pets again within a month. However, about 25% of cats and 7% of dogs remain missing, which are still quite sizable percentages.
Should the pet be stolen, the reasons could be to:
- Hold the pet for ransom
- Sell for illegal use
- Keep as a pet
The reason for theft could be anything from a nefarious pet thief to a child who wishes to have the pet for his own. In other cases, the pet might have ended up at a shelter. If so, the shelter needs the pet owner’s contact information to find the owner. If the owner doesn’t show up or the contact info available is inaccurate, the shelter will either find someone who can adopt or foster the pet or end up having to euthanize it due to overcrowding. It is a sad fate, but one that shelters can do little about.
How to Prevent Experiencing a Lost Pet
While you should not be fearful of it happening, don’t expect that it could never happen to you, either. Have peace of mind by practicing good habits to keep your pet from getting lost. Supervise your pet when it is outdoors. Ensure that when it is outdoors, you have additional boundary restraints like leashes, harnesses, and backyard fences. Training will be the strongest mode of runaway prevention; if your pet is trained to come back, stay, and stay within bounds, you will rely less on restraints.
How to Be Prepared for an Incident
Even so, don’t beat yourself up if your pet ever does get lost. Give yourself the best chance of finding your pet again with identification collars and microchipping. ID collars are non-invasive and traditional; they clearly let people know it is not a stray. Microchips are impossible to come off your pet and are useful for shelters looking for pet owners. Keep the microchip’s contact information up to date! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask Everhart!
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With three Maryland locations in Baltimore, Pasadena, and Cross Keys, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131, 410-793-7670, or 443-470-6790! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!