It happens every single day. Somewhere in our country, a pet goes missing every three seconds. A gate left open, a determined escapee, a distraction too irresistible, an accident or emergency- these split second moments can turn into a lifetime of unknowing. One moment your companion is safely by your side- and the next moment, they’re gone. The fear of a pet being lost to the unknown, or worse, meeting a devastating fate is an all too real occurrence for ⅓ of pet owners.

**What are the odds?**
According to the American Humane Association, around 10 million pets go missing every year. This staggering statistic only ends in a positive outcome for a fraction of these animals. For those with microchips, the numbers are in their favor. They are closer to beating the odds with a 52% chance of being returned home. But the staggering majority of animals are not microchipped. Surveys show that only 2.2% of dogs that are NOT microchipped ever return home. Around 80% of all cats and dogs without identification will never return home.

**What happens to the animals that never find their way back?**
While it is difficult to track to an exact science, shelters have reported 1.5 million lost pets are euthanized every year. The enormous amount of 80% of animals that are not reunited with their owners face this very real and immediate danger. Often ending up in high kill shelters, overwhelmed communities lacking financial funding and resources do not have the support needed to keep up.
Animals face the horrifying danger of being struck by a vehicle, or injured in a multitude of other ways. An injured animal is less able to return to its home, and less likely to be found due to the natural instinct to hide.

Search and rescue efforts for an injured animal are much more difficult, and injured animals run the risk of further medical complications in the future.

Why do these animals go missing?

Precautions on every level, from the miniscule microchip, to an extensive property fence aren’t always utilized, or even a viable option in all communities.

One of the simplest ways to prevent a lost pet is to provide accurate information on an identification tag, and ensure your pet has been chipped and registered. The consequence of a pet never being returned can be devastating, and this simple act could prevent it entirely. 42% of pets that are microchipped are not registered, meaning their owners' information won’t be present when the chip is scanned. Having updated, correct information on a collar and ID can be an additional step to ensuring your pet’s safety.

For an animal, the desire to wander can also be driven by the natural tendencies that come with an unspayed or neutered animal. By neutering your pets, you can reduce that wandering gaze and do your part in reducing the local pet population. Your chance of recovering a lost animal increases by 32% when the animal is neutered. Your pet will be less likely to roam as far, and more inclined to stay close to their home and resist urges to contribute to the overwhelming overpopulation.

Using a leash, keeping your pets on a lead, monitoring time outdoors and having a fence are all huge advantages when it comes to minimizing the risk of a lost pet. It is also essential to have good recall with your pet, that is- making sure they respond to the sound of their name or a command to come! Take time to practice this recall with treats, and make sure your perimeter is secure.

How can we prevent this?

There are moments we can be prepared for. Checklists, basic precautions, a perimeter check of your yard, a firm grip on your lead, trust. But what happens after everything you’ve done hasn’t been enough to keep your pet safely at home?

Our first instinct is almost always right, and it is proven that the most effective method of recovering a lost pet is by actively searching. 70% of dogs are found within one mile of their home, and 90% of dogs are found within the first twelve hours, if the owner searches for them.

Local community groups on social media sites like Facebook and NextDoor have changed the accessibility to assistance in a positive trajectory. Hundreds, thousands of people living in your community can be your eyes. Local shelters will often have a watchlist and can also share vital resources for recovering your pet.

A moment of fear and uncertainty could be turned into relief within hours. Don’t risk the chance of increasing your pet’s possibilities of being lost. Take steps to prevent it, and if it does happen, act quickly! Your pet’s life could depend on it.

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The Missing Pet Epidemic: Lost Pet Facts & Statistics