July is Lost Pet Prevention Month! Studies show an estimated 10 million pets go missing each year. Losing a pet is heartbreaking – but there are many ways to protect your pet and tools to help you reunite with your pet if they become lost.

Collar and ID tags

It may seem simple, but a collar is essential to keeping your pet safe! Collars and ID tags are an affordable, easy way for someone to identify a pet and contact their owner. A collar is on properly if you can easily slide two or three fingers underneath. Remember to replace worn or torn collars.

Use a leash when outside

Using a leash is an easy way to keep your pet safe. Even if your pet is well-trained, they may run at loud, and sudden disturbances and become lost.

Secure your yard

If you have a fence, double-check that it’s tall enough to prevent your pet from jumping over it. It’s also a good idea to examine your fence for gaps, holes, or loose panels. For dogs that like to play in the dirt, secure the bottom of the fence with rocks or chicken wire to make sure they don’t dig a hole underneath it.

Microchip your pet

A microchip is a small chip implanted in a pet that contains their owner’s basic contact information – think of it like a permanent ID tag! When a lost animal is taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic, staff will scan for a microchip and contact the person whose information is listed. It’s important to keep your pet’s microchip information up-to-date. When you adopt a pet from JHS, all pets are microchipped prior to adoption and ready for you to register your information here!

Register with Petco Love Lost

Petco Love Lost is a national database and free reunification tool to make finding lost pets quicker and easier. Uploaded photos of a missing dog or cat are immediately scanned to determine whether the lost pet is at a participating shelter or with a neighbor in the community. Register with Petco Love Lost for free here.

Check local shelters

Always check with local shelters, online and in-person, when your pet goes missing. All lost pets brought into JHS have a profile and photo uploaded on our website. If you see a pet that you believe is yours, contact the JHS Pet Help Center.

Help others!

If you find a lost pet, you can help reunite them with their people by hanging flyers in the area they were found, and/or posting on social media. Join the Lost Pets of Jacksonville, FL Facebook group to stay connected to pet owners in our community and help keep families together.

Pets are family! By following these tips, you can help keep your furry family member safe.

For more information on lost pets, check out our free guide for lost and found pets in Jacksonville here.