NATIONAL LOST DOG AWARENESS DAY – created by Susan Taney and Kathy Pobloskie, directors of Lost Dogs Illinois and Lost Dogs Wisconsin
Each year on April 23rd, National Lost Dog Awareness Day increases awareness concerning missing dogs and celebrates reunions.
Through networks of shelters, veterinaries, social media, and other media sources, many lost canines and families reunite. The day is an opportunity to learn more about prevention and networking. There are also steps to take to prevent your family pet from going missing. Some of these preventative steps also help return Fido to you if he does go missing.
Preventative steps to take:
- Keep your dog secure. Whether on a leash or in a fenced yard, your dog is less likely to wander if it is secured.
- Training is valuable. Dogs who have been trained by a professional are less likely to go missing. Most importantly, they learn recall commands. Formal obedience training also offers owners valuable information that can lead to a better relationship between pet and owner.
- Always supervise your animal. Dogs, especially expensive purebreds, can be stolen even from a fenced yard.
- Tags and microchipping help with the recovery of a missing animal. These steps must be completed when you first receive your new family member. While tags are an inexpensive way to protect your pet, dogs can slip a collar. Many pet adoption sites will hold microchipping events for a fraction of the cost. The price is coming down all the time, too. It is essential to keep the information on the microchip or tag up to date also. It is only as useful as the information listed on the chip in helping recover your pet.
- Spaying and neutering reduce your pet’s likelihood of wandering off in search of a mate. Additionally, it eliminates the chances of unwanted offspring should your dog wander off unexpectedly.
- Keep records up to date on your animals. That includes photos, vaccinations, and those valuable tags and microchips, too.
Taking action if your pet goes missing:
- Contact your local shelters and vets. Please provide them with current information regarding your dog, including a colour photograph.
- Walk your neighbourhood. Let your neighbours know as you search. Enlist their help, too.
- Post notices in neighbourhood grocery stores, gas stations, and coffee shops. Go to social media like Winnipeg Lost Dog Alert and post your pet’s info in local community forums.
- Check advertising websites. If your dog was stolen, you might recognize the description from the ad. Contact the police if you think your dog was stolen.
HOW TO OBSERVE #LostDogAwarenessDay
Take steps to protect your pet. Develop a plan. If you’re a dog owner, share your experiences using #LostDogAwarenessDay.
NATIONAL LOST DOG AWARENESS DAY HISTORY
Lost Dogs Illinois and Lost Dogs Wisconsin directors Susan Taney and Kathy Pobloskie created National Lost Dog Awareness Day in 2014 to increase awareness and help prevent animals from going missing. They also promote celebrating reunions. This information was taken from the link below. Please click on it for more wonderful information. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-lost-dog-awareness-day-april-23/