Got yourself a hairy Houdini and want to keep him safe from the dangers outside your home (including a visit to the pound)? Melanie Hearse explains how to keep your pet off the streets.
Pets that wander off your property are at risk of all manner of harms — they could be hit by a car, lost or they may be picked up by the ranger and delivered to the pound, netting you a hefty fine. Before you get started escape-proofing your home, it can be helpful to first understand the reasons why your pets may do a runner. This will enable you to keep their motives to a minimum. Pets, particularly dogs, are more likely to leave home if they are bored, fearful (for example, during a loud storm or fireworks), lack food or water, or have not been neutered — the urge to find a mate is strong, and they’ll be more forceful about getting out with such a powerful motivation! If you have yourself a repeat offender, consider which of these factors may be contributing to the problem and address it promptly. All aside, here are the basic steps for stopping your pets from getting out into the big, wide world.
Batten the Hatches
One of the key factors to keeping your pets at home is secure boundaries — think self-closing gates, adequate fence heights and checking for soft ground (aka perfect for digging an escape hatch!) near said fences and gates. You’d be surprised at some of the really tiny spaces even larger-breed dogs can slip through.
Fences or gates that are in poor condition, or too short to keep your pet enclosed, can also present a risk for a determined Houdini. If your pet is scaling the fence, you can use chicken wire to extend the height without blocking any views. Chicken wire can also be buried under the sand along a fence line to stop diggers from creating a gap to get out – alternatively, burying concrete slabs to meet the footpath on the other side can also do the trick.
Adequate Identification
Should your pet manage to slip out, a collar and tag with your phone number and address can help people return your pet to you. Bear in mind it’s not uncommon for collars to come of while your pet is o# on their adventure, so micro-chipping and registration with your local council is also essential for their safe return. It’s important you keep your contact details (especially changes of mobile numbers and addresses) up to date with both the local council and the company your pet’s microchip is registered with. Also, an easily accessed up-to-date photo will come in handy should you need to paper the streets with a “lost” sign.
Desex your Pet
All pets should be spayed or neutered as soon as they are old enough, unless you are a breeder planning to breed them. Cats and dogs are more likely to roam in order to seek mates if they have not been desexed, says veterinarian James Crowley. “Trafic injuries aside, territorial aggression is also very common, leading to fights, which can be fatal. Obviously, there is also the risk of unwanted pregnancies.
The complete article was published in the May issue of PETS Magazine. Subscribe to the magazine at Universal Shop.
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