Safeguarding Pets
Animal Care
September 1997
Many people believe that pet thieves cruise neighborhoods and steal
dogs and cats for profit. The thieves could then sell the stolen animals
to animal dealers and research facilities that are licensed or registered
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS). Although the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) protects
animals in certain situations, the crime of stealing pets does not fall
under the purview of the AWA. Local laws apply to the theft of pets.
The AWA does discourage pet theft however, by requiring licensed animal
dealers to keep records that help trace lost and stolen dogs and cats.
USDA, APHIS, enforces the AWA. By understanding what this law can and
can't do, pet owners can become aware of how they can assist USDA in
detecting pet theft.
Federal Efforts To Safeguard Pets From Theft
The recordkeeping requirement of the AWA mandates that federally licensed
or registered businesses, institutions, or agencies record the names
and addresses of all people selling them dogs or cats. These businesses
must keep records showing each animal's identifying number and description.
Animal dealers must hold all dogs or cats they acquire for at least
5 days. Pounds and shelters supplying dogs and cats to research facilities
must hold the animals 5 days including a Saturday. These requirement
are intended to facilitate tracing of lost or stolen pets.
APHIS inspects animal dealers and research facilities at least once
a year for compliance with the AWA regulations and standards. APHIS
inspectors check the accuracy of records by comparing them with the
records kept by other dealers in the same marketing chain. While this
recordkeeping system does not prevent all pet theft, it discourages
thieves from selling stolen pets through market channels.
Owner Efforts To Safeguard Pets From Theft
Responsible pet ownership is a critical key in securing your pet's
safekeeping. While APHIS inspectors do their part to prevent pet theft,
the APHIS Animal Care staff suggests that pet owners can protect their
dogs or cats from loss or theft by following these recommendations:
Provide identification.
Tattoo and tag your pet. Tattoos can't get lost and are difficult
to alter. Microchipping is another option. Contact your veterinarian
or local humane shelter for a safe animal tattoo or microchip. If
possible, tattoo your social security number on the inner thigh of
your pet. Collar tags should provide your name, address and telephone
number. Jot down your pet's identifying marks, plus its color, breed,
and size. Take a clear, closeup color photograph.
Restrain pets.
Keep cats and dogs inside. Put dogs outside only in fenced yards
for limited time periods. Leash or harness your animals. Keep dogs
and cats from roaming by neutering them at the age your veterinarian
recommendsusually about 6 months.
Know your allies.
Prepare and keep handy a current list of persons who can help you
find a lost or stolen pet. List the phone numbers of local pounds,
shelters, and other animal collection centers. Add newspaper offices,
radio and TV stations that have lost-and-found departments, as well
as police, sheriffs, dog wardens, and other officials who might help
locate a lost or stolen pet.
Contact APHIS Animal Care sector offices.
These sector offices, in Annapolis, MD, Sacramento, CA, Fort Worth,
TX, and Tampa, FL, can provide you with a list of animal dealers and
registered research facilities in your area. Provide these dealers
and research facilities with pictures and information about your pets
if they become lost.
Act promptly.
Start looking for a missing pet immediately. Tracing becomes more
difficult as memories dim. Search your neighborhood frequently. Canvass
your neighborhood with lost-pet pictures, signs, and information.
Ask local neighbors and children to be on the lookout for your missing
pet.
Don't give up.
Keep looking for more than a few days. Strays sometimes return to
their old neighborhood days or even weeks after you first miss them.
Owner Responsibilities
Avoid having unwanted pets on your hands. Don't get a pet unless your
family can take care of it. Be sure a specific family member will be
responsible for the overall well-being of the animal. Choose a pet that
will suit your family nowand in the future. If you can no longer care
for your pet, find another home with people who will care for it properly.
Should you decide to place a "free to good home" advertisement,
interview the intended recipient, secure accurate identification (including
address and telephone number), and make followup inquiries to assure
that your pet is placed in an appropriate, permanent new home. We urge
that, before advertising, you contact your local humane society or animal
shelter for ways to safeguard your pet from being fraudulently obtained
for other purposes.
Don't abandon the animal to a random death. The most humane alternative
is to give the animal to a shelter or have a veterinarian end its life
painlessly.
APHIS welcomes information about possible AWA violations from the public.
Anyone having this information should contact his or her nearest APHIS
sector office or contact:
Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care
APHIS, USDA
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737
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