How to protect your dog from theft

Losing your dog, or having them taken from you, is an unbearable thought. But sadly, it’s a reality for the families’ of 2000 dogs that are stolen each year in the UK.

You don’t want to think about it happening to your beloved pooch. But if it does, or you’re looking for advice on how to deter dog thieves, there is lots you can do.

What to do if your dog is stolen

If your dog is stolen, then you can feel helpless and have no idea where to start looking for them. But here are some practical things you can do to give you the best chance of being reunited with your pooch.

1. Report the theft to the police straight away. Make sure you get a crime reference number and insist that your dog is recorded as stolen and not missing.
2. Report the theft of your dog to your local authority dog warden.
3. Notify your microchip database provider.
4. Ask local rescue centers, animal charities and vet practices to keep an eye out for your dog.
5. Monitor places thieves may try to sell your dog, like pet websites, pet shops and notice boards. Notify the police immediately if you come across anything.
6. Use missing and stolen animal websites such as DogLost. They help reunite missing pets with their owners by offering free advice and support.

How to use the power of social media to find your dog

One of the most effective ways to raise awareness of your lost pet is through social media. Here’s six top tips to help you do just that.

• Create a poster with a recent picture of your dog and where they were last seen. Include as much detail of the incident as possible.
• Post on all the platforms you can and ask your friends and family to do the same
• Ask your followers to share your posts
• Search social media platforms. If someone finds your dog, they may have posted about it themselves. So, search for identifying features and the location your dog was lost. For example, you could try ‘dog found in Essex’ or ‘brown Labrador found’
• Tag animal charities, vets, microchip database providers and local businesses. Ask them to share your posts
• Make sure your social media profiles are set to ‘public’ in the security settings

How to prevent dog theft and keep your pet safe at home

Keep thieves away from your home and your pup by making sure you have done all the below.

• Ensure your house and property boundaries are secure- keeping your dog in and intruders out
• Install a sensor light and fit sturdy locks to garden gates- this will prevent trespassers gaining easy access to your property
• Join your local Neighborhood Watch scheme
• Report any suspicious activity to the police
• Do you post pictures of your dog on social media? Then regularly review your privacy settings and make sure your address can’t be identified from your posts.

Always keep your dog spottable

Always knowing where your dog is means thieves won’t have a chance to get hold of them. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re outside with your pooch.

• Keep an eye on your dog when they are in the garden and never leave them unsupervised
• When exercising your dog off-lead, always keep them in sight and pay attention to what they are doing
• Make sure your dog comes back when you call them, regardless of where they are
• Never leave your dog unattended in a public place- even if its just for a minute
• Likewise, never leave your dog alone in a car. As well as the risk of being stolen, they can also overheat.

Make sure your dog is searchable

If the worst should happen, you want to have done everything you can to help ensure you can be reunited.

• Make sure your dog is wearing a tag with your name, phone number and address on it
• Your dog must be microchipped- once they are, let your database provider know if any of your contact details change
• Keep up-to-date, clear photos of your dog, making sure to show any distinctive features.