National Pet Theft Awareness Day


Today, February 14th , is Valentine's Day, but did you know that it has also been celebrated as National Pet Theft Awareness Day for almost 30 years?

Introduced by a “Last Chance For Animals” campaign in 1988, National Pet Theft Awareness Day is a “holiday” that brings awareness to pet theft and reminds pet parents of methods to prevent pet theft and keep our little ones safe.

Some of the most common reasons for pet theft are financial gain, laboratory and research use, and emotional attachment. Purebreds carry a higher value, making them desirable to thieves and more likely to be stolen.

Here are a few helpful tips for preventing pet theft:


  • Out and About:
    • Leashes and proper fitting collars, harnesses or gentle leaders keep our little ones close to us and safe from running out of sight; however if these tools break, training can teach them to return to you instead of bolting away.
    • If they accompany you to a store or public place, take them in with you. Leaving them inside a locked car or tied up outside leaves them vulnerable to theft.
    • Be wary of strangers who approach you and appear to be “too interested” in your pet, like asking questions about where you live or how much they cost.
  • Comfy at home: 
    • Check fences frequently. Supervise  your kiddo while romping around in the yard.
    • Know who is invited over and monitor for any suspicious behavior
  • Identification:
    • Update contact information on their Microchips and ID tags in case your little one goes missing.
    • Communicate with family members to determine individual responsibility and ownership. This can be especially helpful in the case of emotional attachment theft, following a break-up, separation, or divorce.
    • Keep clear and current documentation showing ownership to aid in proving a connection between you and your pet. 
  • Spay or Neuter:
    • Intact pets are driven to roam more, which could cause them to escape. They are also more likely to become a victim of theft relating to laboratory and research use than a pet that has been spayed or neutered.


While following preventive measures is vital to your little ones safety and well being, knowing what to do in they are stolen or missing can be equally as important:

  • Canvas the neighborhood or the last place they were seen
  • Create a flier with a few forms of contact and your information, and helpful information about your pet (like a current picture, unique markings, breed, age, gender, and daily medical needs if applicable)
  • Tag your car with window paint and a picture of your little one to bring attention to your situation and raise local awareness
  • Contact local shelters
  • Post fliers on community boards, within Animal Hospitals, public places, etc.
  • Post an announcement on the internet or social media to reach a wider range of people
  • Monitor online or local pet sales and adoption ads
  • If you suspect that your have found your pet, contact local Animal Control for help. It can be dangerous to attempt retrieval on your own. Also, make sure to have documentation and proof of ownership when attempting to reclaim your pet


Please contact local law enforcement immediately if you witness a case of pet theft.

For more advice on theft prevention, please contact our hospital at 703-956-6290 or sullyanimalhospital@yahoo.com

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