Tips: Preventing dog theft:
Experts at PuppyHero.com discuss preventing dog theft at home.
Preventing dog theft from your home:
– Dogs are easily taken from gardens: especially front gardens, so make sure to secure your garden with tall fences.
– Protect home and secure property: consider dog cameras, CCTV, and video doorbells.
– Lock and alarm gates: to prevent unwanted intruders.
– Outdoor kennels should also be alarmed and locked: for any dogs kept outdoors, ensure kennels have sufficient security.
– Gravel your path or driveway: this makes it harder for intruders to discreetly approach.
– Leave a light on if your dog is home alone: this can be helpful in the evening, so it looks like someone is in. Alongside this, always turn an outside light on for supervised late night toilet trips so you can see your dog at all times.
– Regularly test your home alarm: to ensure it’s in working order.
– Lock your dog flap when not in use: and don’t leave the window open in the room your dog is in.
– Do not showcase new puppies online: be careful oversharing any new pets. Puppies are especially valuable to dognappers.
Proving ownership:
– Proof of ownership: it is important that you have documentation of ownership in order to make sure there is no dispute should your dog be lost or stolen.
– Get your dog microchipped: This will be done by your vet.
– Be sure to take photos of your dog: keep in mind capturing many angles and any identifying features. Take a photo of you with your dog too, and before and after grooming.
– Your dog’s DNA: if you’re really worried about dog theft, then consider collecting their DNA to match later on if needed. There are services that can help with this;
– Keep ID collar tags up-to-date: Make sure your current mobile phone number and other contact details are on the tag.
Financial tips:
– Pet insurance: make sure this covers theft, and you will be financially compensated.
– Be careful with rewards: if offering a reward for your dog, make sure information is correct and your dog is found before giving the money.
– Keep all your documents safe: to be accessed in an emergency.
In the first part of this article series, we looked at protecting your dog at home and while out walking.
