PAWS TO PONDER

by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc. 

Did you know July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month?  It is!  Here’s some information on how not to lose your pet.  Keeping pets secured, properly identified and trained is the best formula for preventing losing them.  

Wearing identification tags with your phone number is the surest way to get a people friendly dog back home without shelter intervention along with Facebook posting and neighbor visits. Keep in mind that when a stray/lost dog does come into shelter Animal Control Officers are obligated to check that the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccination (which protects everybody, including the dog) and has a New York State mandated dog license.  Always use caution when taking a stray dog into your home since its rabies vaccination status cannot be verified.   Cats must wear breakaway collars that unhook easily to prevent getting stuck so stay prepared with extra collars and tags if you allow your cat outside (another topic for another day).  Microchips are electronic tags injected under the pet’s skin which are detected by using a scanner. Shelters and veterinary offices can obtain owner information from the scanner, but only if it’s registered and the information is current.  The GPS tracker is a device that is affixed to the pet’s collar for real time location on your smartphone for dogs that are repeat offenders of the town’s leash laws as dogs are not permitted to roam without being leashed to their human. 

Naturally securing your home and yard should be a priority by checking fences for holes or loose fittings where a pet can squeeze through or anywhere the pet can jump over the fence.  Always check that your gates are latched properly especially after landscaping and deliveries. Windows and door screens need to be tightly closed to keep cats from pushing through.  A couple of years ago two dogs managed to push through a window screen and ended up stranded on top of the porch roof!  Two Animal Control Officers came to their rescue and safely secured both back inside the house. 

Training your dog(s) to come when called can be a life saver.  Rather than learning tricks, the “come” command can be a game changer for those tense moments when your dog is loose.       Teaching a dog to “wait” when doors open will prevent your pet from bolting out that door. Sit, wait and come commands should be a big part of your pet’s life.  So start practicing inside your home or fenced in yard.  

A leash is your best friend and your best friend’s safety connection to you whenever you two or more are out together and not in a contained area.  The leash protects your dog and other people’s pets as well.  

Be mindful of loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms which may cause your pet to panic and keep them safe inside.  Lastly, have an updated clear photo if ever needed for a lost pet flyer and always contact your local shelter and police with your lost pet’s information.  “Preventing loss is one of the greatest acts of love we can show” says Four Paws to Love. 

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