04/02/2025
There is a lost dog epidemic in this area and it's heartbreaking. Let's go over some helpful tips for keeping your dog safe!
First, be truly aware of the many dangers for dogs. Cars, trains, other dogs, coyotes, hawks, bears, people, toxic plants, poisons, etc.
Keep your dog inside when you're not home if at all possible, even if you're just going out for a minute. There are literal horror stories that we can list here of dogs who were left out and suffered badly because of it. Leaving your dog in a fenced area is no guarantee that it will be safe. Dogs will dig out, people will get in, dogs or other predators will get in, dogs will find weak spots to escape, etc. A scared dog, especially one in a storm, will go right through a fence or over it.
Walk your fences daily. If you see a broken board, a loose board, or a rotted board, replace it. If you see places where the fence doesn't meet the ground that a dog could easily see it as a fun digging spot, reinforce it. You can use wire, garden fence, bricks, boards, or blocks. We recommend "Dig Defense" often to our adopters. It works. If you know there is a weak spot in your fence, don't let your dog out unattended until it's fixed!
Do not, and we repeat, do not let your dog out alone in an unsecured area and expect it to come back. As you can see on all the lost and found pages, that doesn't always happen. We cannot count how many times we see somebody say "I let him out to go potty and he always comes back". And in our minds, we always say "Until they don't". Be especially mindful of senior dogs who may have vision or hearing issues who won't be able to see a potential danger or hear you calling them or move fast enough to get out of the way of a vehicle.
Put the dog on a leash, stay outside with the dog, or install a secure fence. Lock gates from the inside. If you get a dog and you don't have a fenced yard, expect that walking your dog is something you're going to have to do. Make sure harnesses and collars are well fitting and secure.
✨Microchip your dog. Keep your information current and up to date. Microchipping your dog greatly increases the chance of it being reunited with you if it goes missing.✨
Your dog's safety is not something to take lightly. Dogs are family and your responsibility. If you care about your pet, be a responsible pet owner!
(More good tips in comments!)