Lost Dog Awareness Day: How to Keep Your Dog Safe
Many dogs are full of energy, meaning that they often run off when out on a walk. Sometimes a sudden loud noise can startle a dog, or a particularly free-spirited pooch fancies a solo sojourn the one time you forget to shut your garden gate properly. Sadly, pet thefts are also a common crime in the UK. Whatever the reason, it is never easy when a pet becomes lost.
Collars and engraved dog tags can help to reunite a lost pet with their family; it is important to be prepared in case your pet gets lost in the future.
How to Keep Your Dog Safe on Lost Dog Awareness Day
1. Ensure Clear and Updated Identification
Make sure your dog wears a tag with current contact information. Combine this with a microchip and keep the registry details up to date.
2. Secure Your Outdoor Spaces
Inspect fences, gates, and outdoor enclosures for weak points. Regular maintenance prevents digging or escape during walks or play.
3. Use Leashes and Harnesses Properly
Always use secure harnesses or collars and stay alert during walks, especially near busy roads or new environments.
4. Prepare an Emergency Kit
Keep recent photos, vaccination records, and copies of your dog’s chip information in an easy-to-access folder in case you need to report them missing.
5. Know Your Neighbours and Local Vets
Share your dog’s photo and details with neighbours. Ask local vets to be notified if your dog is found and brought in.
6. Act Quickly If They Go Missing
Search your area quietly and at various times. Alert neighbours, check local shelters and social media groups promptly for sightings.
7. Teach Recall and Come Commands
Training your dog to come reliably when called can stop attempts to chase things or dart away unexpectedly.
The best way to ensure the safety of your pet is to invest in a collar and dog tags. Aside from the fact that dogs are required by law to wear a collar with identification on when out in public places, engraved dog tags are the sensible option when it comes to pet safety and security.
Similarly, microchipping is another way to keep your pooch safe. Since the new law came into force early last year, dog owners must now ensure their pets are microchipped, and their details kept up-to-date on the official database. This makes it much easier to find, locate and reunite lost dogs with their families.
Get Prepared with Engraved Dog Tags
Lost Dog Awareness Day, on April 23rd every year, was set up with the aim of informing and educating pet owners about the importance of keeping pets safe. Established in 2013 by a US organisation called Lost Dogs of America, Lost Dog Awareness Day has only grown in popularity since then, adopted by people around the world with the aim of helping lost dogs find their way home. To date, more than 42,000 lost dogs have been reunited with their loving families, but there are many more still out there trying to find their way home.
Stay SMART this Year
Although the best way to get prepared on Lost Dog Awareness Day is with microchipping and engraved dog tags, there are also some other ways in which you can look out for the welfare of your furry friend.
Smart Tags can also help to find lost pets more quickly. The tag can be scanned or tapped to access your pet’s online profile with all of the contact details your pet rescuer needs to find you quickly. What's more, the tag also contains other information such as medical, dietary, insurance, vet and microchip details. You can also receive an email when the tag is scanned, showing the GPS location of your beloved pet! Everything you need to ensure your pet is returned home, safe and sound.
Nowadays, social media and word of mouth can play a major part in reuniting dogs with their owners - so make sure you have plenty of recent photos of your pet that you can share online should the worst should happen. There are plenty of groups online that are set up with the aim of helping to find and reunite lost pets with their owners, so it may be worth having a look and joining one in your local area.
You never know, you may even be able to help reunite somebody else with their four-legged friend.
Final Thought
Lost Dog Awareness Day reminds us that prevention and preparation are key to keeping dogs safe. With durable ID, secure environments, strong recall skills, and quick response plans, you can greatly reduce the chance of losing your best friend.