According to the statistics from The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County in 2010 they received 5,429 dogs and 6,973 cats. Of those animals only 1,529 dogs and 159 cats were reunited with their families. Lost pets become labeled as “strays” and nationally, nearly 20 million of them are killed each year because their owners cannot be located. Preventative measures can be taken to eliminate the chances of your pet ever becoming one of these statistics.
- Spay or neuter your cat and dog. Animals who are still sexually intact will roam because they are looking to fulfill their natural instinct to mate. By spaying or neutering your pets, you will eliminate this desire and make it easier to keep them content and safe at home.
- Cats are safer if kept inside and dogs should have a fenced in yard for play and exercise.
- An ID tag can mean the difference between life and death for a dog or cat. Consider getting your companion microchipped as a way to permanently identify them. At the very least, put your name and number on the inside of your dog’s collar.
- Sign up for a lost and found pet registry such as www.statepetregistry.com which sends out email alerts about lost and found pets in your community.
Currently, many lost animals end up at our local humane society. Don’t forget, an animal without identification is considered a stray animal. Holding times for animals can vary for a variety of reasons and your beloved companion can be adopted out or killed if there is not enough available cage space. Check the shelter in person everyday and follow their guidelines for lost pets.
Starting in just a few weeks, the Suburban Times will have a Lost and Found pet column. Look for more information at that time on how to post an item about a missing or found pet.
Until then, contact www.coalitionhumane.org (253) 627-SPAY located in Tacoma for information on low cost spay and neuter services, and The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County www.thehumanesociety.org for lost or found pets.
Let’s all take a role in keeping all members of our communities safe and healthy. Check the shelter everyday for your missing pet and please, provide a secure home and some type of identification for your furry companion.