Safeguarding Pets
My-Dog.info > Dog Care
Many people believe that pet thieves cruise neighborhoods and
steal dogs and cats for profit. The thieves could then sell the
stolen animals to animal dealers and research facilities that are
licensed or registered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Although the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) protects animals in certain
situations, the crime of stealing pets does not fall under the
purview of the AWA. Local laws apply to the theft of pets.
The AWA does discourage pet theft however, by requiring
licensed animal dealers to keep records that help trace lost and
stolen dogs and cats. USDA, APHIS, enforces the AWA. By
understanding what this law can and can't do, pet owners can
become aware of how they can assist USDA in detecting pet theft.
Federal Efforts To Safeguard Pets From Theft
The recordkeeping requirement of the AWA mandates that
federally licensed or registered businesses, institutions, or
agencies record the names and addresses of all people selling
them dogs or cats. These businesses must keep records showing
each animal's identifying number and description. Animal dealers
must hold all dogs or cats they acquire for at least 5 days.
Pounds and shelters supplying dogs and cats to research
facilities must hold the animals 5 days including a Saturday.
These requirement are intended to facilitate tracing of lost or
stolen pets.
APHIS inspects animal dealers and research facilities at least
once a year for compliance with the AWA regulations and
standards. APHIS inspectors check the accuracy of records by
comparing them with the records kept by other dealers in the same
marketing chain. While this recordkeeping system does not prevent
all pet theft, it discourages thieves from selling stolen pets
through market channels.
Owner Efforts To Safeguard Pets From Theft
Responsible pet ownership is a critical key in securing your
pet's safekeeping. While APHIS inspectors do their part to
prevent pet theft, the APHIS Animal Care staff suggests that pet
owners can protect their dogs or cats from loss or theft by
following these recommendations:
Provide identification.
Tattoo and tag your pet. Tattoos can't get lost and are
difficult to alter. Microchipping is another option. Contact
your veterinarian or local humane shelter for a safe animal
tattoo or microchip. If possible, tattoo your social security
number on the inner thigh of your pet. Collar tags should
provide your name, address and telephone number. Jot down
your pet's identifying marks, plus its color, breed, and
size. Take a clear, closeup color photograph.
Restrain pets.
Keep cats and dogs inside. Put dogs outside only in fenced
yards for limited time periods. Leash or harness your
animals. Keep dogs and cats from roaming by neutering them at
the age your veterinarian recommendsusually about 6 months.
Know your allies.
Prepare and keep handy a current list of persons who can
help you find a lost or stolen pet. List the phone numbers of
local pounds, shelters, and other animal collection centers.
Add newspaper offices, radio and TV stations that have
lost-and-found departments, as well as police, sheriffs, dog
wardens, and other officials who might help locate a lost or
stolen pet.
Contact APHIS Animal Care sector offices.
These sector offices, in Annapolis, MD, Sacramento, CA,
Fort Worth, TX, and Tampa, FL, can provide you with a list of
animal dealers and registered research facilities in your
area. Provide these dealers and research facilities with
pictures and information about your pets if they become lost.
Act promptly.
Start looking for a missing pet immediately. Tracing
becomes more difficult as memories dim. Search your
neighborhood frequently. Canvass your neighborhood with
lost-pet pictures, signs, and information. Ask local
neighbors and children to be on the lookout for your missing
pet.
Don't give up.
Keep looking for more than a few days. Strays sometimes
return to their old neighborhood days or even weeks after you
first miss them.
Owner Responsibilities
Avoid having unwanted pets on your hands. Don't get a pet
unless your family can take care of it. Be sure a specific family
member will be responsible for the overall well-being of the
animal. Choose a pet that will suit your family nowand in the
future. If you can no longer care for your pet, find another home
with people who will care for it properly.
Should you decide to place a "free to good home"
advertisement, interview the intended recipient, secure accurate
identification (including address and telephone number), and make
followup inquiries to assure that your pet is placed in an
appropriate, permanent new home. We urge that, before
advertising, you contact your local humane society or animal
shelter for ways to safeguard your pet from being fraudulently
obtained for other purposes.
Don't abandon the animal to a random death. The most humane
alternative is to give the animal to a shelter or have a
veterinarian end its life painlessly.
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