SEAVILLE – Shore Animal Control officials were overwhelmed with lost dogs picked up county wide which did not have proper identification. Over 8 dogs were picked up this week as a result of the storm conditions. Fortunately, a few were returned because of proper ID. The others had to go to the shelter, which not only puts stress on the pet, but overburdens an already overcrowded shelter.
To be a responsible pet guardian, here is the order of priority to have your pet safely returned to you.
1. Proper ID Tags and Collars: The number one protection you can give you’re your pets is to have a clearly legible and up to date phone number on either a collar, tag, or both. This is the quickest and safest way to have your pet returned. Responsible pet owners should always have proper ID on their pets. So often, our officers are picking up dogs without ID, or with tags that contain illegible or outdated information. Collars with information need to be replaced when faded or ripped.
2. Current License Registration: All responsible animal control officers carry current municipal license records for the municipalities they serve. If for any reason a collar is lost, they can determine the owner by pick up location and animal description. Licensing your pet is for your benefit and not the township coffers as often is the misconception. Putting the rabies tag and license tag on the collar is an additional benefit to help locate owners.
3. Microchip: Although many people feel this alone will protect their pet, it is not enough. Neighbors that might pick up your pet and have it returned quickly with an ID collar do not have means to scan a pet. Your pet will be returned quicker with the above methods. It is a great idea to protect your pet, but to help you reunite with your pet, it is third on the list of priority for officers to return pets.
4. Current Rabies Tag: A current rabies tag with the veterinarians phone number is an extra precaution to help a animal control officer locate the owners. It also puts residents to ease that might find a lost pet. If they see a current rabies tag, they are more likely to hold the pet until animal control officers will arrive.
If you love your pet, and want to take every precaution to protect them if they are ever to stray is to follow the above suggestions Animal Control Officers are so saddened to have to take so many pets needlessly to the shelter because of irresponsible pet ownership. The sad faces of these pets in the cages as they leave them at the shelter can be heartbreaking for a caring animal control officer. If you have a pet, please go out today and license and tag your dog.
Del Haven – Timothy Snyder, award winning historian, author, and professor, explains that destroying a country requires undermining five key zones: "health, law, administration, defense, and intelligence….
