Over the last year, there has been a clear increase in instances of dog theft. While it is still rare, the security and safety of your pooch should always be kept at the forefront of your mind.
But what can you do to keep your dog safe? In this article, we’re going to cover various methods of keeping your pup secure, along with the measures we take at PetStay to keep your pooch safe while they’re boarding with us.
Read on to find out everything you need to know!
Dog Theft Awareness: It’s a Real Problem
Many of us find it hard to imagine our precious pups being stolen. After all, it’s not usually something you hear much about – thieves are more often associated with stealing cash and valuable items.
Because of this, it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. This is exactly what an opportunistic dog thief would be looking to capitalise on.
DogLost UK, a charity that helps to reunite lost pups with their owners, recorded a 170% increase in incidences of dog theft across 2020. This may be due in part to the pandemic, which has caused many families to consider purchasing a pooch during lockdown. Thieves are likely looking to take advantage of this increased interest by selling stolen pups at a premium.
Regardless of the cause, it’s now more important than ever to take the security of your pooch seriously.
How to Prevent Dog Theft
By following some simple guidelines, you’ll be able to heavily reduce the risk of your pooch being stolen. Here’s what you can do to keep your dog safe:
- Microchip your pup. Your pooch should also have a collar with your contact details written inside – name, address, and phone number.
- Keep an eye out for any suspicious individuals that may be taking an unnatural interest in your pooch.
- Ensure that your property is secure. If you let your pooch run free in the back garden, ensure that they remain supervised.
- Train a recall command on your pooch. Train your pup to reliably and consistently respond regardless of what they’re up to!
- Always keep your pup supervised in public areas. Keep them leashed and never leave them tied up outside a store or inside the car alone.
If you think your pooch has been stolen, report it to the police as soon as possible. Make sure the police mark your dog as stolen, not lost. It can be a good idea to contact nearby vets, shelters, and charities and ask them to keep an eye out for your dog. Finally, use social media to your advantage – share high-quality images of your dog along with your contact information.
You may also register your stolen dog with DogLost, which can provide a lot of help with finding them for free.
What PetStay Does to Keep Your Pup Safe
Keeping your pooch safe and healthy is our utmost priority and it’s not a responsibility we take lightly. Our carers always walk your pooch on the lead and will never leave them unsupervised. Additionally, all of our carers are thoroughly vetted, which includes security checks of their property and garden. All of our carers are always kept up to date with any changes in the doggie world.
If you’re heading on a staycation or any other extended trip from home, remember that our dog boarders offer the most secure and fun solution for your pup. It’s like a holiday of their own! If you have something planned, get in touch and see how we can help.
We hope the above information has given you some insight into how you can keep your pooch safe. By knowing the risks, you will be able to minimise the chance of anything happening to your lovely pupper.
We wish you and your pups a safe Spring!