July: Lost Pet Prevention Month in Canada
July in Canada is marked by its warm weather, sunny skies, and outdoor activities. For dog owners, this summer month is a peak time for leash-less walks and dog parks with their furry friends. With all the time being spent outside, July serves as an important reminder for pet owners nationwide: it’s Lost Pet Prevention Month. According to the Humane Society, summer months mark a drastic increase on lost pets, so as a responsible fur parent it is important to stay aware on how to protect your little friend from summer dangers.
Tips for Prevention
- Identification is Crucial: Ensure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag containing your current contact information. Consider microchipping your pet as a reliable backup, as it provides permanent identification that cannot fall off or be removed.
- Pet Proof Your Property: Regularly inspect fences, gates, and screens for any potential escape routes. Secure windows and doors to prevent pets from slipping out unintentionally.
- Supervise Outdoor Time: When outdoors with your pet, keep them on a leash or within a secure enclosure, especially in unfamiliar areas. Supervision reduces the risk of them wandering off.
- Training Matters: Teach your pet basic commands like "come" and "stay" to keep them under control and responsive when off-leash. Training enhances their safety during outdoor activities. If you are looking for a good way to practice off leash training, try looking at extended staked leashes. These can be found on amazon or at your local pet store.
- Emergency Treats: For emergencies, make sure you are carrying high reward treats. This can be useful for regaining your pets focus if they’ve managed to get off leash during your walk.
- Be Aware: It is important to figure out what makes your pet a flight risk and keep an eye out for these triggers. Dogs are likely to run off chasing other dogs, birds, and squirrels. Make sure you are seeing potential risks before your pet to mitigate their response.
- Stay Updated with Collar Tags: Ensure your pet’s ID tag has current contact information. Update tags promptly if you move or change phone numbers.
- Use Technology: Consider using GPS collars or tags that can help track your pet's location in real-time. These devices can be invaluable if your pet does manage to escape.
- Secure Transport: When traveling with your pet, use pet seatbelts or carriers/crates. Ensure they are properly secured in your vehicle to prevent leaping out windows during stops.
- Keep Updated Photos: If your pet gets lost, it is important to be prepared. Keep up to date with your pet photos for fliers and social media in case of an emergency. This will help in the off chance your pet runs away to help with the search.
What To Do If You Lose Your Pet
- Act Quickly: If your pet goes missing, act swiftly. Search your immediate area and notify local animal control and shelters immediately. The sooner you begin your search, the better the chances of bringing your pet home safely.
- Utilize Local Social Media Forums: Post your pets photos on the local community social media pages. Many communities set up neighbourhood social media pages where community members discuss local topics. Sharing your information on these pages can be a great way to mobilize the neighbourhood to help you find your lost pet.
- Call Local Veterinarians: Many people will bring found pets to their local vet. Calling local clinics will let you know if someone has dropped off your furry friend and can also help provide other resources to look into if they haven’t.
Taking Action
As we all enjoy the beauty of summer with our pets, let’s make sure to prioritize safety. By being aware we can minimize the risk of losing our furry family members while still making the most of the season. To do our part, Northern Biscuit will be donating $3 for every MiniMix purchased on our e-store to Humane Canada for the month of July.
Humane Canada, a federation of SPCAs and humane societies, unites the voices of animal welfare advocates, organizations and the public to achieve the goal of a more humane Canada.
To learn more about Humane Canada please visit their website: https://humanecanada.ca/