Dog Theft Awareness – How To Keep Your Dog Safe

I don’t know about you, but my dog being stolen hasn’t been a huge fear of mine. In fact, I thought it was an incredibly rare occurrence.

Unfortunately, I recently learned that dog theft is an increasingly growing problem in the United States, with more than 2 million dogs being stolen every year. While this can be quite alarming, there are steps you can take to prevent your pup from becoming another statistic. Here are some ways how you can keep your dog safe from theft.

Keep your pet’s identification up-to-date 

Ensure that your pet has a collar with a current tag and that they are microchipped. This will increase the chances of your pet being returned to you if it goes missing.

Be vigilant when out in public

Keep an eye out for suspicious individuals and anyone who you feel might be following you. Try not to leave your pet unattended in public places – especially tied up outside or in your vehicle. Many dogs are stolen by someone breaking into a vehicle and taking them while their owner was inside the building. 

Secure your yard and home

Make sure your home is secure with a fenced in yard and locked gates. A security camera for added safety doesn’t hurt. 

Be cautious when posting photos of your pet online

While it may be tempting to share photos of your furry friend on social media, be mindful of the information you are sharing. Consider keeping the location of your home and the location of where the photo was taken private, especially if it’s a place you take your dog to often. You might want to consider keeping your dog’s real name off social media as well, in case someone were to try calling them over. 

Report the theft immediately

If your pet goes missing, report it immediately to your local animal control, shelter, police department, and microchip registry. Utilize social media and get the word out there as fast as humanely possible. 

Use a GPS collar

This one may seem a bit over the top, but it’s a great thing to have even just for hiking with your dog in case you were to ever get separated and will definitely help with tracking their location (as long as the collar is still on). We wrote an article on the best GPS collar tags on the market if you want to check them out here. 

Dog theft is absolutely devastating for us dog parents, but by taking steps to protect your furry friend, you can reduce the risk of theft and keep them safe. From keeping eyes on your pet to GPS dog tags, there are many ways to protect them from theft.