Pets bring so much joy into our lives. It’s no surprise that, according to the American Pet Products Association, about 66% of U.S. households (roughly 86.9 million homes) had a pet in 2024. Even more telling—about 97% of pet owners consider their pets part of the family.
Bringing a pet into your home is a big deal. Beyond the financial commitment, it also takes time, attention, and care to keep them safe — including making sure they don’t get lost. The Animal Humane Society estimates that 1 in 3 pets will go missing at some point in their lives, and sadly, not all of them make it back home.
We are at a time of year where fireworks will be a common occurrence. And not all of our furry friends appreciate all the noise. So it’s going to be extra important to make sure that we are keeping our furbabies as safe and protected as possible.
Get pet identification. Take a multi-layered approach to identifying the pet, such as name and contact information printed on a collar tag. In addition, have the pet microchipped. A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted just under the skin. The microchip can be programmed to emit identification information about the animal when scanned. Pet parents should routinely check and update the chip’s data if they move or if there is a change in phone number or pet ownership.
Consider a GPS-enabled collar. Another great tool is attaching a GPS-enabled device to a pet collar. In the event the pet cannot be found, pet owners can track the animal’s location using a mobile phone. You can also use Tiles in conjunction with your existing Life360 account to track pets in the app too!
Secure the home and yard. Check for any apparent points of weakness around the home or yard. Is there a large gap between the bottom of the fence and the lawn that needs remedying? Is the gate latching securely or does it pop open? Are all window screens secure, or could they be pushed out from the inside? Curious animals can quickly turn into escape artists, especially if there is a wild animal to chase or a scent they want to investigate. Securing the home can cut down on potential problems.
Utilize obedience training. Working with a certified dog trainer or cat behaviorist can teach the pet to curb an instinct to bolt. If they start to run off, training can help pets develop adequate recall skills to come back when called. Trainers also can teach techniques to quell pets’ desires to dart when a house or fence door is open.
Choose well-fitting collars and harnesses. A collar can be rendered useless if the pet is able to slip its head out, especially when a little pressure is applied. A martingale collar is a special collar that will safely tighten when the dog tries to pull away. When the dog loosens up the pull, the collar goes back to its comfortable position. Harnesses may be even more secure for escape artists because they attach around the midsection rather than the neck.
Use leashes on pets. The animal should be on a leash whenever it is taken outdoors where there is no fence or secured area. Even the most well-trained pets may run off from time to time. Not to mention, leash laws exist in many areas for both the dog’s and people’s protection.
