Observe Pet Theft Awareness Day Every February 14
February 14 is Pet Theft Awareness Day
So you probably know February 14 is Valentine’s Day (it’s hard to miss all those hearts, flowers and candy). But did you know it’s also Pet Theft Awareness Day?
It’s a day to bring attention to the problem of pet theft and take steps to make sure your pet stays safe.
What better way to show your furry baby love?
Last Chance for Animals (LCA) started this day in 1988. They and other animal welfare organizations around the country have celebrated every year since.
This day is an American unofficial holiday. But other countries care about stolen pets too. The UK devotes a whole week to Pet Theft Awareness.
Pet Theft is a Big Issue
Most of us probably don’t think too much about pets being stolen. We know it happens, but probably think it’s just a once in a while thing.
It’s not. Believe it or not, thieves take some 2 million pets each year. Most never make it back home.
Some thieves take pets right out of yards. Sometimes even fenced yards. Other times they scoop up animals that got out of their yards or homes. It only takes a moment. And it can even happen in “safe” or “good” neighborhoods.
The stolen animals may end up at puppy mills, used as “bait” to train fighting dogs, or meet other equally unthinkable fates.
Other times thieves may take animals (especially purebreds) to resell at a lower cost than ones from legitimate breeders. Or they may simply be looking for the reward money for “finding” and returning your lost pet.
Scroll down for some ideas on observing this unofficial holiday.
Ideas For Observing Pet Theft Awareness Day
Help spread the word about pet theft.
And keep your own babies safe.
Here are some quick & easy tips to get you started:
- Get your pets microchipped. It’s relatively inexpensive. And it can help reunite you and your furbaby no matter how he disappeared.
- Make sure you have current photos and physical descriptions for your pets. This helps you get the word out fast if she does get lost or stolen.
- Stay with your pets when they’re outside.
- Don’t leave pets in an unattended car.
- Be prepared for emergencies and have a plan for keeping your pets safe and with you.
- Make sure you have safe travel plans for pets when you’re moving or taking them with you on a trip.
Also, spaying and neutering pets can make them less likely to want to roam. In fact, February is also National Prevent a Litter Month. So if you haven’t gotten it done, this is a good time.
Finding Lost Pets
If the worst does happen and your pet goes missing, get the word out fast.
- Contact your local animal control/shelter, humane society, newspapers (some let you post missing pet info for free) vet offices and rescue organizations. Give them current pictures/information on your pet.
- Get the word out on social media, too. If there’s a Facebook page for lost animals in your community, post there.
- Walk around the neighborhood calling for your pet.
- Put up flyers around the neighborhood and any businesses that will let you post on their property.
- Search Petfinder. You can do searches by location, type of animal and more.
Will you be keeping your pets safe & showing them love this Valentine’s Day?
[…] Pet Theft Awareness Day: The last thing you want to think about on such a romantic day is your pampered pet being stolen. But it happens. And it happens more often than you think. So use this day that’s all about love to show your pets how much you love them by making sure you’ve done all you can to ensure they get back to you if the worst does happen. […]