Good morning! I wanted to share something troubling that recently happened right here in my small town of Nelson, BC. Over the past few days, three purebred dogs were stolen from their homes. Yes, you read that right—taken from their owners’ homes.

Initially, I found it hard to believe. I’ve always imagined that crimes like dog theft only happen in larger cities, not here in our quiet community. But what really gets me is the thought of someone taking a beloved family pet. What could be wrong with people who would do something like this?

In North America, it’s estimated that 1.5 to 2 million pets—primarily dogs—are stolen every year, and sadly, most of these pets are never returned to their owners. The thought that these animals might simply be sold for profit is heartbreaking. But even worse is the feeling of not knowing what happened to your pet.

I wanted to take a moment to share some prevention tips to help keep our pets safe from such terrible situations.

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula for Your Dog?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula is the ideal choice for pet owners who want to support their dog’s overall health and well-being. This comprehensive, all-natural formula promotes a variety of key benefits that will enhance your dog’s quality of life. It supports mobility and joint comfort, ensuring your dog can move freely and comfortably, whether climbing stairs or hopping into the car. The formula also boosts vitality and energy levels, helping your dog stay active and playful. 

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Original Formula is a comprehensive, natural nutritional supplement designed to support overall wellness in dogs. This formula is in powder format that you can mix with your dog’s food or a treat, it’s crafted to enhance vitality and promote a balanced diet.

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline for Your Cat?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is specially designed to support your cat’s overall health, ensuring they live a long, happy, and active life. This holistic formula works in several ways to improve your cat’s well-being. It alleviates recurrent episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, supports digestive health, and promotes healthy mobility and joint function, especially important for aging cats.  This formula offers safe, supportive care, helping to manage aging symptoms. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is a must-have for your cat’s long-term health and happiness.

Pet Theft Prevention: How to Protect Your Pets

Losing a pet is devastating, and unfortunately, theft or pets going missing can often be avoided with proactive measures. Here are some steps you can take to protect your furry friends:

1. Always Keep Tags on Your Pets
   Tags are crucial for identification. Rabies and license/registration tags are required by law in most places. A tag that includes a microchip or tattoo warning can further reassure finders that your pet can be identified.

2. Tattoo or Microchip Your Pets
   Tattoos and microchips are essential for positive identification. Consider tattooing your social security number or your pet’s registration number inside their thigh or belly—places that are hard to injure or remove. Microchips are invisible, but just as effective when registered correctly.

3. Register Tattoos or Microchips
   A tattoo or microchip is useless without registration. Be sure to register your pet’s information with the appropriate registry to increase your chances of being reunited if your pet is lost.

4. Confine Your Pets Indoors When Not Home
   The safest place for your pet when you’re not around is indoors. This applies to both dogs and cats. If your dog must be left outside, ensure your yard is secure with high fences, padlocks, and chains.

5. Padlock Gates and Chains
   If you leave your dog in a fenced yard, make it difficult for thieves to access them. Padlocks placed high up on gates will prevent anyone from using tools like bolt cutters to gain access.

6. Keep Your Dog Out of Sight
   Dogs tied up in unfenced yards should not be visible to passersby. This reduces the chance of a potential thief noticing and targeting your pet.

7. Never Leave Your Pet Unattended
   Never leave your dog off-leash or untied, especially if you’re not right there with them. This includes public spaces—don’t leave your dog outside stores while you shop.

8. Spay or Neuter Your Pets
   Spaying or neutering pets reduces their desire to wander and eliminates their potential for breeding, which reduces their value to thieves.

9. Report Suspicious Inquiries
   If a stranger asks about buying or breeding your pet, be cautious. Inform them that your pet is spayed or neutered (even if they aren’t), and write down any identifying information about the person, such as their name, address, and vehicle details.

10. Don’t Put Your Pet’s Name on Their ID Tag
    Never put your pet’s name on their collar or doghouse. A pet is more likely to go to a stranger who calls them by name.

11. Avoid Discussing Your Pet’s Value
    Be mindful of how much you share with strangers regarding your pet’s value, pedigree, training, or abilities. It could make them a target for theft.

If your pet is stolen, don’t wait—immediately contact your local Animal Control or Humane Society. If you suspect theft, file a report with local law enforcement.

Additional Tips for Pet Tags

It’s important that your pet’s tags are always readable. Here are some tips for keeping your tags in top condition:

• Get a Split Ring for Tags
  If your pet’s tags keep coming off, use a split ring (like one from a keychain) to keep them securely attached to the collar. This will prevent the tag from slipping off or becoming lost.

• Clear Coat for Tags
  For active dogs, the tags may wear out quickly. You can coat them with clear nail polish to help protect them and keep the writing legible.

• Replace Lost Tags Immediately
  If your pet loses a tag, replace it right away. You can never be too cautious when it comes to your pet’s identification.

Legislative Change: A Necessary Step

Another crucial aspect of preventing pet theft is changing the legislation regarding how pets are treated under the law. Currently, in most places, pets are viewed as mere property, which means that criminals often only face small fines if caught stealing a pet. We need stronger deterrents, including criminal records, jail time, or more significant consequences to make pet theft a less viable crime.

Conclusion: Take Action to Protect Your Pets

The loss of a pet—especially to theft—is one of the hardest things a pet owner can go through. But there are steps we can take to minimize the risk. By following these preventative measures, we can better protect our pets and keep them safe in our homes and communities.

Remember, if you ever suspect that your pet has been stolen, don’t wait. Report it right away, and take action to increase the chances of being reunited with your beloved companion.

Stay safe, and give your pets the protection they deserve.

P.S. Another BIG point of PREVENTION would be to change legislation, so that pets are NOT treated as mere ‘property’.

The criminals now would only get a small fine.

A criminal record, jail time, and other best left unmentionable deterrents would likely be more effective…

Feel free to comment.

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula for Your Dog?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula is the ideal choice for pet owners who want to support their dog’s overall health and well-being. This comprehensive, all-natural formula promotes a variety of key benefits that will enhance your dog’s quality of life. It supports mobility and joint comfort, ensuring your dog can move freely and comfortably, whether climbing stairs or hopping into the car. The formula also boosts vitality and energy levels, helping your dog stay active and playful. 

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline for Your Cat?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is specially designed to support your cat’s overall health, ensuring they live a long, happy, and active life. This holistic formula works in several ways to improve your cat’s well-being. It alleviates recurrent episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, supports digestive health, and promotes healthy mobility and joint function, especially important for aging cats.  This formula offers safe, supportive care, helping to manage aging symptoms. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is a must-have for your cat’s long-term health and happiness.