In a recent episode of All My Children Wear Fur Coats, Susan Taney offered valuable insights into locating lost dogs, and employing preventative measures to protect dogs from becoming lost.
Susan Taney is the founder and former director of Lost Dogs Illinois, a nonprofit organization that helps owners search for their missing canines. Once the Lost Dogs network expanded to other states, Susan co-founded Lost Dogs of America to serve as a centralized database of information for animal recovery. Susan has extensive experience in the world of animal activism with over 30 years of animal shelter work under her belt.
Susan explained that although microchipping is a useful method for preventing pet loss, many conditions must be met for microchips to be effective. The individual or organization that locates a dog must have the proper equipment to read a microchip, and they must scan it correctly. Additionally, Susan noted that many dog owners fail to register their microchips, rendering them useless. She encouraged listeners to register their contact information with the same company they use to microchip their dog. In addition to microchipping, Susan highlighted the importance of using an identification tag with a current phone number, and double-leashing timid dogs.
Susan dispelled some common myths regarding lost dog recovery. She made an important distinction between microchipping and GPS. Contrary to popular belief, microchipping does not pinpoint the geographic location of a dog. She also noted that some pet owners are reluctant to print fliers, preferring to use social media as their primary means to facilitate a search. According to Susan, the old-fashioned method has remained viable, as not everyone is active on social networking sites. She stressed the importance of never giving up in your search, even if your dog has been lost for weeks. Susan cited an example of a dog that was recently returned to its owner after 6 years apart.
Another common misconception regarding lost dogs is the concept that a matted or underweight dog should not be returned to their owner. Susan indicated that there is no way to know how long a dog has been lost, so abuse should not be assumed by default. Similarly, when senior dogs go missing, owners often jump to the conclusion that their beloved companion has wandered off to pass away, but this is not always the case. Older dogs with cognitive difficulties have been known to meander due to confusion or disorientation.
In the event of a lost dog, Susan recommended that you immediately put out food, water, and your dog’s bed at their last seen location. Spread the word via fliers and report your missing dog to local animal control facilities and police departments. Always instruct the people that are helping you to refrain from chasing your dog because they may prolong your search.
If you would like to learn more about Lost Dogs of America, visit LostDogsofAmerica.org or facebook.com/lostdogsofamerica/
Please protect your pet with a Pet Trust! Visit ACT4Pets.org for more information.
