Things you must do before your dog disappears in Brownsville

Posted on 18. Nov, 2009 by admin in Brownsville, Texas, Rescues & Adoptions, Top Stories

STAFF REPORT
© 2009 NoDogNo.com

It’s a scary prospect to imagine, but your beloved dog could go missing in Brownsville. There’s plenty of ways this could happen–slipping its leash, plunging through an open door, escaping the backyard or even theft. In the wake of discovering any of these things have happened, you’ll have a better chance of a reunion with your Houdini hound if you’ve taken a few steps before your dog goes AWOL.

First things first: ID tags and collars are a must for your dog

First, make sure Fido’s tags are current and on his collar. There are plenty of options to put on ID tags: rabies tags (a must for your dog in Brownsville) have individual numbers for each tag, allowing city animal control officers to track down the last register owner, presumably you. Other custom dog tags should include your dog’s name as well as your name, phone numbers (as many as you can fit), e-mail, address and more. The American Kennel Club even has a Companion Animal Rescue program that allows microchips and dog tags to be coded with number unique to your dog that matches a database loaded with all the information anyone will need to track your dog back to its home. The CAR is best suited for animal shelters and vets to use.

But all of this information works only if its on the dog and not tucked neatly away in a drawer at home. You can put multiple dog tags on your dog’s collar, and you probably should. Wear and tear, whether through jangling ID tags or the weather’s rain and mud, will eventually make those ID tags unreadable in spots. According to an official at the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center, known to most as Brownsville’s animal shelter, dogs that arrive at the shelter often don’t have tags or the tags have become unreadable.

Having multiple tags, while increasing wear and tear, will lessen the likelihood that your one phone number or identifying number has been obscured by rust or scratches or worn smooth by corrosion.

Be aware that some designer dog tags with 3D bas relief-style designs, such as hearts and bones, will rub against other tags, increasing the wear and tear on the other ID tags. It’s best to look for flat tags, perhaps with rubber edges, if possible.

An engraver helps refresh old ID dog tags

With that in mind, you’ll need to examine your pet’s tags frequently. Replace any that no longer are readable, because leaving them on your dog’s collar will not help anyone bring your dog home. But those worthless tags will continue to scrape on the other readable tags. To replace any worn tags, you can buy a fresh set at a local pet shop that sells custom tags with free engraving. Or you can buy or borrow a handheld engraver and use the old worn tags: Simply engrave the old information back on the tag. You can even engrave information on both sides.

Prepare “Missing Dog” posters ahead of time, just in case

With the tags in good condition and on your dog’s collar, you might also consider your need for any “Lost Dog” posters now. Remember, you will be frantic if your dog disappears. Do you really want to be spending time at a computer learning to design effective flyers and posters? Wouldn’t you rather have those flyers and posters in hand so you can be outside scouring the streets and actually finding your dog? The way you’ll be able to do this is to do some work ahead of time. It might sound odd to some, but you’re not jinxing your dog and it should be a fun project. You’ll need a quality photograph of your pooch, and pull all the elements together in one flyer on your computer–ready to be printed if needed. Or print a copy or two to have on file in your home, work or car. If you get a call that your dog has escaped while you were away from home, you’ll always have a copy of your poster so you can hit the copy machine at work or drop by the copiers on the way home.

Either way, you’ll be prepared for the worse.

Visit Lost & Found bulletin boards now, and help others find their dogs too

One last thing you’ll do now. Go to pet stores and animal shelters and look for Lost and Found pet bulletin boards in Brownsville that feature missing pets. You’ll know exactly where to post your flyers if your dog goes missing, but more importantly, you’ll be one of the responsible dog owners checking the board to help someone in Brownsville who has already lost their dog.

They’d do the same for you.