Home Pet Education Keeping Your Pets From Running Away

Keeping Your Pets From Running Away

Pet Care Expert Charlotte Reed offers prevention tips to Paris Hilton and Other Pet Owners To Keep Their Pets Safe And At Home.

Aug 20, 2004

Pet care expert, magazine columnist and radio and television pet care personality, Charlotte Reed offers Paris Hilton and other pet owners advice on how to prevent their pets from being lost or stolen.

Charlotte Reed and her dog Burberry

“There is always a chance that your most beloved creature will get lost”, says Charlotte Reed. “A carelessly opened door or window, the dropping of the leash, or an unfriendly dog or can cause your four-legged friend to flee. You have a better chance of recovering your pet, if you are “pet aware” because it is always better to be safe than sorry.”

Charlotte Reed offers ten prevention tips to pet owners to prevent lost and/or stolen pets:

1. Keep all windows and doors closed. It only takes a second for your dog or cat to jump out of a window or run out the door.

2. Don't walk your dog without a leash or with faulty equipment. Although it is against the law to have your dog off the leash in a public area, it only takes a loud noise to scare your pet into a running frenzy away from you. Besides, old and worn collars and leashes always seem to snap when you are crossing a busy intersection.

3. Have your pet wear cat or dog identification tags. Most pet stores and veterinary offices stock forms for mail order pet tags. Be sure to attach identification and license tags on your dog’s collar or harness. ID tags should include: the word "REWARD" in capital letters on the first line: your address city and state; your home & work phone numbers. Generally, it is recommended that your dog's name not be included on the ID tag, as it only serves to give a pet thief more control over your dog.

4. Consider a second form of identification for your pet. Tattooing is a quick, painless procedure in which indelible ink is injected under your pet's skin. The owner must sign up with a registry that maintains a database of pet tattoo numbers linked to the owner names and address. Recognize that tattoos can be over-looked by persons finding your dog or they may not know to reach the appropriate tattoo registry. Another form of permanent identification is the micro chip, a tiny glass bead containing a transponder coded with a unique number. Veterinarians and shelter workers can read the implanted micro chip with only compatible micro chip scanners and then access the owner's phone number from a national database.

5. Photos as safety measures. Take some clear photographs of your cat or dog every few months through at least one year of age, then once a year thereafter. A current photo of your pet can be very helpful in his safe recovery should he ever become lost. Remember, black & white photos produce better xeroxes than color photos.

6. Spay or neuter your dog. Intact dogs have a greater tendency to roam.

7. Keep your dog fenced-in yard or property, or in a safe, enclosed dog run. Even within the seemingly safe confines of one's own property, do not leave your pet unattended if there is any risk of pet theft. Owner supervision is strongly recommended.

8. Don’t Talk to Strangers. When doubtful about a stranger's intentions, do not offer them any information about your dog, such as his or her name, breed, or what you paid for your dog.

9. Tied and unattended. Never leave your dog alone, tied in front of a supermarket, store, bank, or restaurant, or unsupervised in an automobile. Especially in an urban area, dogs can attack by others dogs, stolen, harassed, or poisoned.

10. Training works. Obedience train your dog. A well-trained dog is safer, more responsive and happier.

Charlotte Reed is a pet expert and columnist for several magazines, including Time Inc.’s All You, Fido Friendly, Good Housekeeping and The Resident. A former attorney, Charlotte’s love for animals led her to switch careers and found Two Dogs & A Goat, a New York-based complete pet care service in 1996. Charlotte has shared her expertise on pets with millions of people through her Pet-Owning Made Easy series of booklets and her appearances on ABC’s The View, CNN, Good Day New York, Fox Pet News and other TV shows. She is currently writing two books on pet-related topics. She can speak about everything from pet health and insurance to pet etiquette.

To learn more about Charlotte Reed, visit Charlottereed.com. To schedule and interview with Pet Expert Charlotte Reed, call Eunice Farnsworth at 212-966-5225 or email at prtma@twodogsandagoat.com.

RESOURCES