Protect your pet from theft

August 20, 2008 3:15:18 pm | by McClatchy-Tribune | Wichita Paws |

From parking lots to pet stores and even backyards, the American Kennel Club reports that dog thefts are on the rise.

In the first five months of 2008, the AKC has tracked dozens of pet thefts from news and customer reports, versus a handful for all of 2007. Thefts range from tiny puppies being stuffed into purses at pet stores to, most recently, purebred pets being snatched from cars in parking lots and shelters.

The AKC offers the following advice to prevent your "best friend" from being a target of a crime:

At home

-- Don't let your dog off-leash or leave it unattended in your yard. Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves. A Saint Bernard that had wandered away from his owner in Nebraska was snatched up right off the road.

-- Breeders need to beware of home visits by potential puppy buyers. From Yorkies in Los Angeles to bulldogs in Connecticut, thieves posing as would-be "puppy buyers" have visited breeder homes to snatch dogs, while other homes have been burglarized when the owner was away.

On the road

-- Never leave your pet in an unattended car, even if it's locked.

-- Don't tie your dog outside a store. This popular practice among city-dwelling  dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. Reports have surfaced of such thefts in New York.

-- Be vigilant. Always remain aware of your surroundings when entering or leaving any dog-friendly establishments.

Recovery

-- Protect your pet with microchip identification. Collars and tags can be removed, so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Keep contact information current with your recovery service provider. For more information and to enroll your pet in a 24-hour recovery service, visit www.akccar.org.

-- If you suspect your pet has been stolen, immediately call the police, animal control and animal shelters in the area where your pet was last seen.

-- Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your pet goes missing. Keep a photo of your pet in your wallet or on an easily accessible Web account so that you can distribute it immediately if your pet goes missing.