As we prepare to enjoy the holiday fixins, Missouri Lost & Found Paws wants to share some safety tips for you, your family, friends and furry friends! YOU can make a difference by helping to educate others by sharing the tips below. ONE person CAN save ONE life. It is tried and true! Social media has been an incredibly positive influence for animals. YOU *CAN* HELP.
The holidays bring a lot of social activity within the homefront. We as pet owners should be especially aware of not only food related dangers, but also the dangers of a pet becoming lost.
Preventative Tips
- Make sure your pet has a collar with ID tags on. Check to make sure the ID tags have not faded nor worn in such a way that they will fall off.
- If your pet is microchipped, make a quick call to the microchip company to check the following: a) Does the pet registration show that the pet is owned by you? b) Is your contact information up to date? If not, please make the changes needed. Yes, you will have to pay a fee to update the info. The fee will be a nominal charge should you ever be faced with the scenario that your pet is lost.
- If your pet is not microchipped, consider getting them microchipped. There are many wonderful programs throughout the country for lost cost microchips. Time is of the essence; please do not delay this decision. We cannot tell you how many times we have communicated with owners who wish their pet had been microchipped before becoming lost. Don’t delay taking action on this!
- It is best to take your pets out on a leash (non-retractable). A fence will not necessarily keep your pet safe from harm if fear perseveres. We have seen postings of dogs that have dug underneath the fence. The non-typical jumping dog has jumped the fence to get away.
- Just like people, personalities change as our pets become older. Hearing changes. Sight changes. Sensitivity to alarming sounds increase. Don’t take chances with older pets. Keep them safe inside. Create a safe, quiet environment for them away from the hustle and bustle of people coming and going, active children, etc. Treat them with the same care you would for an elderly human. Keep an eye on them when they are outdoors.
- If you are having a party, create a safe environment in the house for pets, perhaps a back bedroom or bathroom. You can also put a sign on the door asking guests to remain out of the room. Turn the music on to help drown out the sounds.
Please lend a kind hand to any animal you see wandering. Call animal control if you do not feel comfortable to approach the animal. But, please be an advocate for the fur babies. They need our help. Just because an animal seems weary or skittish does not mean they have been abused. They may simply be frightened. You can also post on Missouri Lost & Found Paws, and we will gladly provide tips for helping a found pet get home.
