Pets bring a lot of joy to people’s lives. Is it any wonder that, as of 2024, 66 percent of households in the United States, or 86.9 million homes, owned a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association? In fact, 97 percent of pet owners consider their pets to be family members. And according to Made in CA, 77 percent of households in Canada own at least one type of pet.
Introducing a pet into a home is not a decision to take lightly. In addition to the considerable financial investment associated with pet ownership, owners must devote time and energy into safeguarding the well-being of their pets. That includes reducing the chances the animal becomes lost. The Animal Humane Society says it’s estimated one in three pets will go missing in their lifetime. Many of those pets will not be reunited with their owners.

But people can do their part to protect pets from escaping or getting lost. Here are some proactive steps to take.

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.

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.

It’s important that pet owners take steps to prevent their furry friends from running away and getting lost.