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Losing a pet is among the most tragic experiences imaginable. No cat owner desires to undergo the heartache associated with the loss of their beloved companion, yet unfortunately, many must. Regardless of whether you have personally suffered this sorrow, you can contribute to preventing future losses by acknowledging Lost Pet Prevention Month.
July is designated as Lost Pet Prevention Month, aimed at heightening awareness about missing pets and preventing further losses of animal companions. This campaign is crucial in ensuring that our beloved cats do not become part of a tragic statistic.
Why Was National Lost Pet Prevention Month Established?
If pressed to guess the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, what would your choice be? It might strike you as odd to imagine that there exists a particular day throughout the year that consistently witnesses a remarkable surge in the number of surrendered or stray animals, but indeed, it’s a fact.
In the United States, July 5th marks the busiest day of the year for animal shelters. This is primarily due to the noisy Fourth of July celebrations, which often frighten pets, prompting them to flee unexpectedly.
Furthermore, families tend to embark on numerous journeys during the summer months. The pets accompanying them might undergo stress due to their unfamiliar surroundings, leading them to flee. PetHub, a non-profit organization committed to developing tracking tools for missing pets, has taken notice of the increased occurrences of pet disappearances during this period.
In 2014, they introduced the inaugural Lost Pet Prevention Month, aimed at raising awareness and minimizing the number of pets going missing. This month-long campaign aims to educate and arm cat owners with the necessary resources to ensure the safety of their pets.
The Tragic Reality of Lost Cats
Every year, approximately 6.3 million animals are brought to shelters across the country. Among these, cats account for 3.2 million, the majority of which are stray, surrendered, or rescued. However, due to the overwhelming influx of cats, only 2.1 million are successfully adopted each year. Other concerning statistics reveal that:
Out of 810,000 shelter animals returned to their owners, only 100,000 are cats. Each year, 530,000 cats are euthanized. The number of stray or lost pets brought to shelters is twice as high as the number of animals surrendered by their owners. Cats account for over half of the animals euthanized in shelters annually.
The statistics are indeed alarming for any animal lover, particularly for those who own cats. To avert the tragic fate of your beloved pet, it is imperative to take proactive measures to prevent your cat from getting lost.
How to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Lost
There are numerous methods to ensure the safety of your cat. By following the steps outlined below, you can sleep soundly at night, reassured that your feline friend is unlikely to wander off.
1. Keep Your Cat Indoors
There are numerous advantages to keeping your cat indoors exclusively. Firstly, the potential for physical harm is significantly reduced, as indoor cats are unlikely to encounter wild animals, territorial cats and dogs, unfriendly humans, or automobiles. Secondly, the chances of developing infectious diseases are also lowered among indoor cats.
2. Put Collars and ID Tags on Your Cat
Even if your cat spends its entire life indoors, it’s advisable to provide some form of identification. Cats can be cunning escape artists when they feel like it, so it’s always possible for them to sneak out. By wearing collars with ID tags, lost cats can be easily reunited with their owners if found by a stranger.
Craft your cat’s ID tag meticulously, ensuring it bears their moniker, yours, your abode’s location, and your contact digits. Such meticulousness guarantees that whoever stumbles upon your feline friend can effortlessly reach out to you and reunite them with their cozy home.
3. Microchip Your Cat
Pet owners ought to ensure that their cats are implanted with microchips. These chips carry unique codes, which can be scanned at veterinary clinics or shelters, revealing the rightful owner of the cat. However, it is imperative to keep the microchip information updated in case of any relocation, ensuring that your cat can always be traced back to you.
4. Be Aware of Your Cat in Chaotic Environments
Cats can easily become frazzled, especially when their home environment is chaotic. If you have guests visiting, your cat may feel threatened and flee the premises. To prevent this, it is essential to plan ahead.
To minimize your cat’s stress and encourage them to remain in one place, it is advisable to keep them in a quiet and secure room that is inaccessible to visitors. Depending on the duration of the visit, ensure that your cat has access to toys, food, water, and a litter box to cater to all their needs. By doing so, you can ensure that your cat remains content and comfortable throughout the duration of the visit.
5. Ensure Your Home is Secure
Your cat possesses an uncanny ability to detect any potential escape route from your home, and they will undoubtedly stumble upon it. It is imperative to ensure that all windows and doors are securely fastened, leaving no room for your feline friend to squeeze through.
If you decide to allow your cat to roam outdoors, it is imperative to ensure their safety by confining them to an enclosed space that precludes any escape routes. This necessitates a thorough inspection of fences and other barriers to identify any potential weak points.
6. Use a Carrier or Leash When Leaving the Home
When attending vet appointments or engaging in other activities that require you to take your cat out of the house, it is crucial to be well-prepared. Ensure that you have a suitable carrier or leash to safely transport your cat to and from the destination.
7. Train Your Cat to Come When Called
Cats, despite their reputation for independence and aloofness, can still be trained. By teaching your cat to respond to its name, you can ensure greater control in case it starts to wander. This training not only improves your bond with your pet but also ensures its safety.
8. Have a Plan for Emergencies
Natural disasters strike unexpectedly, thus, it’s crucial to have a prepared plan to safeguard both you and your cat. Ensuring you have animal first aid kits, feline travel supplies, and microchipping your cat are effective measures to ensure their safety during emergencies.
Final Thoughts
No pet owner desires to endure the sorrow of losing a cherished feline companion. Precisely for this reason, Lost Pet Prevention Month exists, offering pet owners the essential resources to safeguard their beloved animals. As July approaches, consider participating in this initiative by sharing awareness on social media or volunteering at your nearby animal shelter.
