I never thought it would happen to me but it did. Four years ago, I lost two dogs; two months apart, from two different vet clinics, in two different towns.
I’ve been in animal welfare for over 25 years and my husband lovingly calls me an “over the top” dog owner. Our backyard resembles Fort Knox with gates locked; our dogs know the command wait, there are barricades in front of the doors and a screen door to the garage. The dogs wear martingale collars with a license, ID tag and microchip tag. Our shy dogs also wears a sensation harness connected to their martingale collar prompting my husband to note he will grow old before I get all the dogs ready for a walk. Still though my dogs got lost.
Both of my dogs’ escaped from vet clinics, in both cases it was an accident pure and simple. Regardless of how they got lost I had a plan ready should this ever happen and I got both dogs back safe and sound!
Ricky, my beagle was lured in by a friendly female beagle after a sighting called in by the first person I handed a flyer to. Ellie, the Basset, was another story, we fliered heavily, especially at intersections, to get people’s attention while they were stopped. We received over 50 sightings in 29 days (the whole town of Huntley knew she was missing) and then she was finally captured in a humane trap.
So even though you have not experienced losing a dog, and think it would “never” happen to you, please take a minute – read our articles on our website and have a lost dog packet ready. Be prepared!!!
Susan Taney
Director/founder of Lost Dogs Illinois