Discovering a beloved pet has gone missing is one of the most dreadful feelings a pet owner can experience. Because July is Lost Pet Prevention Month, take some time to minimize your pet’s chance of becoming lost and maximize their chance of returning home safely with these tips:

1. Ensure your pet has appropriate and up-to-date identification. The fastest way to get your lost pet back home is by attaching an ID tag with your contact information to your pet’s collar. The most permanent form of identification is a microchip, which is about the size of a grain of rice and implanted between your pet’s shoulder blades. Microchips do not actually track your pet, but they allow a veterinarian or animal shelter to access your contact info when scanned. If your pet is already microchipped, now is a good time to check that your contact info is up-to-date. If your pet is not yet microchipped, visit your veterinarian or stop by Roice-Hurst Humane Society’s low-cost clinics. 

2. Track your pet with a device attached to their collar. You can attach a Bluetooth-enabled tracking device, like an Apple AirTag, to your pet’s collar to monitor their whereabouts at all times.

3. Keep your pet’s documents in an easily-accessible location. If your pet is found and taken to an animal shelter, you may be asked to provide proof of ownership in order to reclaim them. Proof of ownership can include adoption records, dog licenses, vaccine certificate or photos of the pet that clearly show any unique markings. 

4. Be mindful during summer commotion. Between busy barbecues and noisy fireworks, your pet might become startled and dart away from home. During these busy times, keep your pet in a secure, quiet location and avoid letting them outside when fireworks may be set off. 

5. Brush up on obedience training. Being able to control your dog through voice commands like “come,” “stay” and “leave it” may keep them from darting toward a distraction or wandering too far off trail during a summer hike. 

6. Spay or neuter your pet. During summer months, unaltered pets may be more likely to wander off looking for love. Spaying or neutering will help them be more inclined to stay home. Plus, it reduces the number of pets in shelters, curbs other unwanted behaviors and reduces your pet’s risk of cancer and other illness.

If your pet does go missing or if you find a stray pet, contact Mesa County Animal Services or Roice-Hurst’s Delta Satellite Facility, post in local Facebook groups dedicated to lost and found pets, and spread the word! For more information about lost and found pets, visit RHhumaneSociety.org/lost.

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