Share This Page

Tweet

By Beth Stultz-Hairston | June 29, 2020

July marks Lost Pet Prevention Month, an annual observance created by PetHub^® in 2014.

Did you know that, according to American Humane, approximately 10 million pets are lost each year in the United States alone?

For professional pet-sitting and dog-walking business owners this month offers an important reminder to educate your clients, yourself, and staff sitters (if applicable) about best practices to follow year-round to prevent pets escaping and becoming lost.

The following recommendations to ensure pets do not escape while in the care of a pet sitter or dog walker were provided by PSI members:

Discuss safety precautions with pet parents prior to the pet-sitting visits.

“Remind the client not to have open windows or doors, and to inform them about options like microchipping and city pet registration. Mention that it is the client's responsibility to pet-proof their home. Ask if there are any issues, so I will be on extra alert if some of the pets are prone to bolting out the door. I get a description of the pets during the meet and greet, and take lots of photos at each visit, so that there is a good visual and description if necessary.” —Rachel R.

“I give clients an ID tag with my cell phone number on one side and the word Emergency on the other. Every client says that they like having another contact number on their pets should pet wander off.” —Ann A.

“[We ask clients to make sure there are] no open windows or doors. For uncrated dogs that rush the door, we ask owners to set up baby gate in hallway to prevent them coming to door. We have spares to use for vacation sits if needed.” —Anna B.

“During the meet and greet I'll ask the client if their pet has ever escaped or attempted to escape before. This is to establish whether I'll be caring for or walking a ‘Houdini.’ Then, I'll ask the client how long they have lived at the address. I will also ask the client if the pet is used to having the client home or away. I ask these two questions because I've found that if a pet is in a new environment and/or a new routine, there may be some anxiety I might have to manage. Sometimes, these anxieties manifest in trying to escape (to find mommy or daddy, for instance). Finally, I'll ask, does the pet follow commands such as ‘come’? If not, that's something else I need to factor in before taking on the client.” —Janet B.

“I make sure microchip details are up to date. I let clients know what happens with the ‘what if scenario.’
I have contacts in my phone, and I know where our local shelter is.” —Patrina C.

Be alert each time you enter a client’s home.

“First thing coming in the door, I make sure the pets are not nearby before I open the door. I then immediately lock it because some doors do not always latch.” —Karen F.

“I enter through the garage whenever possible. Close the exterior garage door completely before opening door leading into house. For cats, I use an empty water bottle with some pennies or rocks in it. After you crack door slightly shake it as you enter. The noise will move them further into home, reducing likelihood of escape. We have several and leave one on the front porch by the door as a reminder.” —Anna B.

“I make a point to tell all of the sitters to always assume the pet is right at the door and is going to try to get out! This means opening the door slowly and blocking the opening with your body as you enter.” —Kristen W.

“I never look up when I enter a home, even in homes that don't have pets. One of the things I do is if I have my backpack, I put it down as I open the door at the pet’s level. That is usually enough if the pet is at the door to stop them and it gives me time to move them away from the door.” —Joni S.

“I use a double gate system if I am able. For example, I try to go through the garage and close the garage first before entering the home that way if the pet is at the door and bolts at least they're trapped in the garage.” —Savanna W.

Check the outside of clients’ homes as well.

“For pets with yards, before letting them out, I ALWAYS check the fence for escape areas or open or unlatched gates.” —Karen F.

“On arrival BEFORE I go inside, I check all gates, fences and ways that they could potentially escape to make sure those are locked, secure and that there is nothing broken.” —Julie F.

“I agree also about checking for open gates. A neighbor kid left my client’s gate open once. Also, landscapers will sometimes leave them open.” —Sheila S.

“We check the fence perimeter and gates daily before letting dogs out. For vacation sits we inform clients to cancel any landscaping services and that we will install a lock on the gates to prevent it being left open.” —Anna B.

Use appropriate harnesses and leashes for each pet.

“We only walk dogs with secure fitting harnesses—and if the owner does not have one, we provide it. We do not use retractable leashes. We also use a hands-free leash belt and hold leashes for each dog.”  —Ann B.

“Always use a good quality leash. During holidays, never trust e-collars around fireworks or storms. We use leashes and the e-collar.” —Diane K.

“If going on a dog walk, collars and harnesses are checked for proper fit before we clip the dog onto the lead of the ’hands free’ leashes we use. These leashes are attached to the waist and can help prevent accidentally dropping the leash. Even if the dog gets spooked and suddenly takes off, they are taking you with them!” —Kristen W.

Plan dog walks with safety and security in mind.

“Leash reactive dogs are walked at off times in less populated areas. For dogs that pull we recommend walking them separately. For dogs we are unable to walk together, we require separate walks.” —Anna B.

“I make sure my hand/wrist is looped a certain way, so the leash won’t fall out of my hand. When walking, I avoid all things that could potentially be an issue—and when returning, I do not take the leash off until we are in the house and the door is closed and locked. While my phone is with me, I am never on my cell phone during walks.” —Julie F.

“[On walks], prepare to be approached by loose dogs or people. Have commands and treats if needed.” —Susan W.

“I have an extra leash that is long enough (6' to 8' in length) to make into quick emergency harness with me on all walks should pup's leash snap or clip malfunctions.” —Ann A.

Do a final check before leaving the pet-sitting visit.

“We always do a ‘check out’ procedure that involves making sure you know exactly where each pet is right before leaving. It's a great time to give them a treat too!” —Kristen W.

“Before leaving a home I make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked.” —Ann A.

Additional tips:

PSI members also shared these additional tips they follow to help ensure pets do not escape while in their care:

“I will only take a pet-sitting job if the pet stays indoors while the client is gone. Too many bad things can happen if a pet is left outdoors. I explain to the client that it's only temporary (while they're gone), and it's better to be safe than sorry. No one has turned me down yet.” —Janet B.

“When transporting pets in my car, I secure them either in a dog car seat or with a dog seat belt.” —Nina J.

“Never share pet-sitting jobs.” —Lisa H.

“When a pup is off leash and walks up to me, I praise and reward them for coming to me. I practice the command ‘come’ while out on walks and when playing inside the pet's home or out in its yard. This reinforcement comes in handy should a pet get away.”

“I have the phone numbers of local search groups, of which I am a volunteer member of one of them. Also, when transporting pets, I have them travel in an airline approved crate that is secured in my vehicle.” —Ann A.

“[On holidays like] July 4th or New Year’s Eve for dogs with doggie doors, we close it and the owners agree to adding visits as needed to allow them relief.” —Anna B.

Are there additional safety precautions you take to ensure that pets do not escape on your watch? Share your suggestions in the comments below.

Plus, be sure to visit LostPetPreventionMonth.com for more tips to help prevent lost pets.