Local Lost Dog Concerns

June 12, 2023: Episode 78

I don't have the exact statistics, but there are MANY missing dogs and cats daily in Bend. Just between Nextdoor and a few Facebook community groups, I see a "guesstimated" average of 9 per day. I'm not even counting the lost pet groups, so my number is most likely inaccurate and on the low side.

As pet sitters & dog walkers, we have arrived at homes to perform our jobs, only to discover the pets running loose. On each occasion, the pet parents were unaware. A neighbor, family member, housekeeper, etc. accidentally let the pets out. Perhaps these people didn't realize that this happened, as the pet parents weren't notified.

On one occasion, as Keith was leaving the dog park, an unknown puppy jumped into the vehicle. Luckily, the puppy and our dog got along, nobody was harmed, etc. We were able to contact the pet parents, as the contact info on the dog was current. Both parents were at work and unaware that the dog had escaped the house.

As human beings, & as community members, I feel that we should all help whenever and however we can.

I'm not here to shame anyone. Everyone is prone to accidents. We were at Disneyland, enjoying the character breakfast when we received a call that our dog had been found in Bend. We never knew she was loose. We had a visiting family member forget to close the door completely. There are local stories of car accidents, slips & falls, etc when dogs got loose. I'm motivated by love to try to help our community.

NEVER risk your safety, or that of your family or pets.

Beware that an animal who is a calm, loving family pet may act or react differently while out of their element.

Please drive carefully, as these pets may very well dart into the street.

Please call 541-693-6911 (Bend Police non emergency line) to report any lost pets you locate. Also post in the group I tagged below. Stay with them if safe to do so. If your pet is lost in Bend, contact the Humane Society at 541-382-3537. (For other cities, please contact the respective agency.) Next, post a photo and description of your missing pet, the last known location & any other pertinent details on the Facebook group Lost and Found Pets in Deschutes County. Missing Pet Recovery has more recommendations. We are grateful for the heart work that these groups do for our community.

Please ensure that fences, gates and doors are secure. Notify any guests, housekeepers, etc of the risk of pets escaping. Place signs on your doors if you need to. Crate or secure your pets in a bedroom if necessary.

Please ensure that your pet's microchip is still where it should be. Verify that ID tags and microchips have updated contact info.

If your dog is a chewer, invest in a metal leash. If he or she digs, take measures to prevent them from escaping beneath your fence. Ensure that collars and harnesses fit properly, and that dogs can't easily escape during walks. Train your pups to have recall skills. Don't let anyone walk a dog that they don't have control over.

Some people invest in tracking devices for their pups. Others have cameras inside their homes so that they can verify the well being of their animal loved ones. Others hire pet sitters. Do whatever works for your family to ensure safety.

Loose animals are at high risk of harm. We have drivers who speed, drivers who are distracted & some who drive under the influence. The pets are at risk of heat & cold injuries, dehydration & physical injuries from being in an unknown environment. Other risks include consuming toxic items, being exposed to contagious illnesses & of course harm from other animals & people. These are all in addition to the potential for mental trauma.

I recommend getting to know your neighbors and exchanging phone numbers with those you come to trust. Your neighbors may be the first people to notice that your pet is astray. Yes, I've shared this information previously. Yes, I'll state it all again. Please take care of yourself and our community.

June 13, 2023

***Edited to add: Elwing Works Catios & Custom Woodwork has a great point to share.

"...free-roaming cats are at great risk due to the abundance of predators we have here." We agree and appreciate your contribution to this discussion.

.... On a side note, we are cat lovers as well as dog lovers. The majority of our clients are dog owners simply due to the variance in needs between the species. Our children are allergic to felines, so we have canines. I had a grey indoor cat, Romeo, & Keith had a Keeshond, Bandit, when we met. Romeo had been an indoor / outdoor cat with his previous family. He seemed happy being indoors, as he never attempted to get out, etc. However, I'm certain that he would've loved to have a safe taste of the outdoors. This was nearly 2 decades ago, and I don't think that catios were readily available or known about. I feel that the idea of catios is a great solution. The cats get to enjoy their freedom while the pet parents feel secure in the knowledge that they're safe from natural predators, vehicles, etc. We haven't met or worked with Elwing Works Catios & Custom Woodwork, but you might want to check them out.... Nakala Matthews of Sits & Wiggles, LLC ***