Every once in a while someone does something so smart, you just have to step back and say, "wow." A concerned couple who own a black Lab stopped by their local shelter to tell them that they are going out of town. They gave the shelter a document with their names, address, a very detailed description of their dog, and where the dog would be staying in their absence. They even included the tag numbers from the dogs rabies tag and extra contact numbers in case the primary contact couldn’t be reached. This small action is the epitome of responsible pet ownership. By taking 10 minutes to give the shelter a description of their dog and contact information before they left town, this couple may have saved their dog’s life should he get loose.
According to national statistics, only about 10% of stray pets are reunited with their owners. Stray pets are euthanized daily because their owners didn’t think to call their local shelter. Legally, most shelters are only required to keep an animal for three working days before it becomes the property of the shelter and available for adoption or euthanization. If you leave town for a week, your pet could end up being someone else’s pet (or dead) before you return.
If you think that would never happen to your dog or cat, think again. Much as I love my dogs and cats, I know that none of them would fall into the "very adoptable" category if they ended up at a shelter. And I know all too well what the alternative is, so they all wear two or three forms of identification. Even with all that ID, it’s not a bad idea to give the folks at the shelter an information sheet. That idea is just too good to pass up.