Missing pets: Steps to Avoid the Heartache of a Lost Pet

"One in Three" pets go missing in their lifetime.  That is a horrifying statistic!
As pet parents to two phenomenal dogs and one sweet kitty, one of our family's most heart felt fears is a pet going missing either while we are traveling or for some other unforeseen mishap.

We feed our animal the best food that we can afford, attend to their vet needs every 6 months as advised, train them to listen to us...  But there will be times that dogs will be dogs and cat will be cats!

My conversation today is about our dogs.  When we take them to our local pet park, we have observed many times how they run and play freely.  Sniffing out all kinds of doggy aromas. The become oblivious to only tracking as many scents as possible.  Moving constantly.  Sometimes locating themselves far at the other side of the park... And then watch them as they suddenly remember-- they were with us!?!

Their heads raise up.  They search, eying every corner of the park.  They spot us and run like the wind back to their pack leaders.  

But that is a controlled environment where you are maintaining control over your dogs, but they just don't know it.   They don't understand the fences are still giving you control.  And those fences are nowhere to be seen when we are not at home or in a play area like the pet park.  Our dogs just always see that innate invitation of the undiscovered open field or new places to sniff.  Those are seductive invitations to our pups, who do not understand the difference of a controlled or an unsafe environment.  

Some dogs are natural born escape artists who have honed their skills well, just to get to taste that freedom of discovery.   Some are patient and wait until a door is left ajar...maybe a hotel room door? Or a car door?  New scents just pull at them so much stronger than your grasp on the leash sometimes.  So many opportunities are there just 'to be a dog'!

Here are a list of things every pet parent should do in order to prevent separation from your dog and mechanisms to employ to have your pet returned to you quickly, if separation happens:
 

• 1.  For security, collar your dog with a metal buckle collar, as opposed to a plastic buckle.  See this sample buckle collar taken from Foster and Smith's Catalog.   Buckle collar your dog with his tags even when you use a harness or control collar.  Harnesses and control collars do not stay on the dog permanently.  Always stick 2 fingers between your pet and the collar to assure it is not too tight.  See our Niecie's picture down below.
• 2.  Maintain up to date tags identifying your pet and your current information.  Invest in a rabies tag from your Vet when your pet is vaccinated.  The control numbers on the rabies tag identify your Vet, giving another opportunity to have your pet safely returned to you.  Tags should contain your cell phone number for strangers to quickly locate you.
• 3.  Always leash your dog when away from the home.  Your pet should be leashed before the door is opened.  Pet trainers recommend a 6 foot leash dog, but a 4 foot leash can be used.  Retractable leashes are great for your pup's walk but should be used with caution as pedestrian and vehicle traffic is hazardous away from home and your neighborhood.  A 4 or 5 foot leash will keep your dog close to you under unfamiliar conditions.  Never use a rope or a chain to wrap around your pets neck as a leash.  This endangers your pet and can harm them.
• 4.  If you have a yard for fido, always do a fence check to assure that all of the boards are secure, or the chain link is not broken leaving a hole for your escape artist to use.  
• 5.  When traveling in the car, always tether your dog's leash to a locked seat belt.   Or better, use a travel harness that attached to the seat belt.  A great example of a product is called the Kwik Connect Harness sold by Foster's and Smith (We just LOVE the folks there!). They show a video depicting how easy it is to use.
• 6.  Invest money in a GPS system such as a TrackR for your dog's collar.  You can track where he is via your cell phone.
• 7.  Chip your pets.  Give your pet a chance to be reunited with you if they do escape.  Have you read the stories of how a pet had been found 3000 miles across the country because they were micro chipped?  Keep your address and phone number up to date with the microchip company.  An example of a great microchip company is Home Again.  But your Vet may recommend another great Microchip brand as there are a few on the market today.
• 8.  Don't let your dog be mistaken as a stray.  Mark them with a high visibility travel vest, such as the Traveling Pet SHONVest(r).    This vest will alert others quickly that your dog is somewhere that he should not be.  It can carry your itinerary, telling strangers what hotel you are staying at and provide alternate contact information. Your dog can also carry his medical story and medications that can save his life, until you are reunited. 

Sometimes it is best to prepare for the unimaginable and take the extra efforts to keep your pet safe.

We always mark our dogs, when traveling with them in the car-- 
Just in case they decide to be dogs!

Kindest regards,

Jonni 

CEO
SHONGear Designs
www.SHONGear.com
 

Traveling Pet Safety

Please view our new animated clip supporting our Traveling Pet Safety SHONVest!
Feel free to leave your comments (we are kind folks do please use your polite voice) so that we can improve.  Thanks!  Jonni

All Dogs Are Show Dogs

So here we are, past day one of one of the most respected dog shows in the world: The Westminster Kennel Club. Did you watch? How did your breed perform on day one? Judging happens tonight and we won’t be the only ones on pins and needles! But with 2,721 top dogs from our favorite breeds on display these past few days in New York it reminds us that all dogs are different. And with different types of dogs come different types of responsibilities.

Last year’s Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show went to a 4-year old Pekingese named Malachy. Pekingese, those plucky little balls of fur best known as Chinese emperor’s dogs of choice, have a rich history. At one time they were admired as the living Buddha, which gained them some great perks from their human counterparts. But not even insane amounts of pampering can help avoid sometimes genetic problems in dogs. With their stout little bodies and cute faces, Pekingese sadly are prone to a deal of problems with their eyes as they grow older.

Having a dog with eye problems, or going blind, is something we never hope anyone has to go through. The inspiration for SHONGear actually came from a dog that had gone blind and we understand the hardship that goes with it. One of our favorite products is designed especially for those little cuties that have had some eye problems or lost their eyesight. The Blind Pet SHONVest comes in bright colors with “Blind Pet” clearly written in large letters across the side to alert anyone to the fact that your pet needs extra attention.

With the Blind Pet vest your dog will be clearly visible during travel, if he or she gets loose, or even at the dog park. When you don’t need to worry about how the people around you interact with your dog, leaves more time for you to love him or her. And with the security of a high visibility vest, your dog will be safer.

We look forward to the conclusion of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the continued health of all dogs everywhere! Who are you rooting for?

Take Your Pet on a Trip in Safety and Style!

It’s clear that dogs are way more than just man’s best friend: they’re our companions, our cheer-er uppers, and sometimes our travel partners. With the Westminster Kennel Club show just a few days away, despite nature’s best attempts to stop the show, thousands of dogs will be traveling to New York for one of the most prestigious dog shows out there.

But traveling with your furry friend is not always as simple as jumping in the car and going. Some dogs, such as the Westminster show dogs, travel thousands of miles and need to be crated while flying or being transported. It is not always possible to keep an eye on your canine all of the time, but we all want to know our dogs are safe despite where they may be in the travel process.

This reality hit hard in 2006 for Jil Walton, owner of a whippet named Vivi recognized for an award of merit at Westminster, who escaped from her cage at the Kennedy Airport while being prepared for her flight back to California. Even after a huge search of the airport, Vivi was never found. One can’t always count on others to handle their companions with the care that they normally would. Things like a lock failing or cage door being not fully closed are possibilities that always have to be considered. 

 

Here at SHONgear we prepare our dogs for travel by hooking them up with a Traveling Pet SHONVest. While we can’t always ensure the safety of our pets, we can take any necessary precaution. The Traveling Pet SHONVest has pockets for pertinent travel information such as your trip itinerary, dog’s medical information, and your contact information just in case your little guys decide to do some sightseeing on their own. The Travel Vests come with our own SHONGear travel itineraries! Just fill out your trip and contact information on the cards, place them in the itinerary pouch or water-tight pet information container, and anyone will be able to easily identify your dog.

Not all dogs get loose at the airport like Vivi. But what if Vivi was wearing a high visibility SHONVest?   Would she have been spotted?  Being out with your dog there is always the chance he or she may wander away from you or simply get out of eye-shot. With the security of a Travel Vest you can be positive that your dog will have the information needed to return him or her safely to you. We never leave the house without our wallets and IDs, why should your dog? Click here to view more about SHONGear's Traveling Pet Vest and check out this short video below about the Travel Vest and head over to our shop for even more information and pricing! 

http://SHONGear.com