Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe and Sound
- Keep him on a leash. No matter how timid or trustworthy your pet might appear to be, don’t take any chances. When he’s not in the yard, keep him connected to you with a leash. If he spots a squirrel or another dog, he won’t be able to take off on you.
- Get him microchipped as soon as possible (if you haven’t already). Many shelters microchip adopted animals, but you can also contact your vet for help. It doesn’t take long at all, and you’ll gain peace of mind. If your pet already has a microchip and you recently moved, make sure the info is updated.
- Don’t forget to update his tags. Recently changed your phone number? Don’t want someone else’s name listed on the tags? Don’t wait until it’s too late to do anything – update those tags as soon as possible! Even if your contact info is current, if the tags are scratched or worn down from age, people won’t be able to read them.
- Be careful in the car. Never leave your pet alone in the car, even if you only plan to be away for a few minutes. Not only do you leave him to the mercy of the summer heat or winter cold, someone could break into the car and take him.
- Teach him the “stay” and “come” commands. We know, we know – training your dog can be very frustrating and time-consuming, especially if you’ve never tried to do it before. If you teach your dog to respond to “stay” and “come,” however, it’ll be easier to get him to return to you before trouble starts.
- Supervise your pet in the yard and make sure the area is secure. Look around for any holes in the fencing that might allow him to escape. Check for debris that he could chew up or choke on, including small toys or potentially poisonous mushrooms. Yeah, it takes a few minutes, but hey, it’s worth it, right? You never really know what you might find. When you put him in the yard, don’t leave him alone for too long.
- Look into a pet license. Some people go out of their way to avoid paying for one. Why should they give the government more money? But a pet license makes it easier for authorities to help you find your dog.
