Can you imagine letting your dog out and after a few minutes wondering why he hasn’t barked at the door to be let in only to find he is gone!!!  The chain is laying on the ground, the gate is closed to the fence, no one has seen your sweet pup and there is no sign of your pet anywhere.  You know he has been stolen and panic sets in!

Pet Theft Awareness Day — a day created by Last Chance For Animals (LCA) to raise awareness about pet theft. On this day, February 14th, officials educate the public on how to keep their furry companions safe and call attention to the importance of proper pet identification.  An estimated 2 million pets are stolen each year. According to Petfinder, only about 10% of those stolen pets are returned home.

What is Dog Flipping or Dog Napping?  
Dog flipping occurs when someone takes dogs away from their owners’ homes or offices, claims to be a lost dog’s owner, or gets a dog from a shelter with the intention of reselling the pup for a quick profit.  Typically, stolen dogs are resold to unsuspecting new owners, puppy mills, or backyard breeders (so they can keep pumping out puppies and reeling in the cash).  Some thieves also steal dogs  — like Dobermans and German Shepards — and use them in illegal dog fighting rings. Plus, some are sold to laboratories and used for medical research and experiments.

What types of dogs are stolen?
According to Tom Sharp, president and CEO of AKC Reunite, thefts often involve high-value dogs, for example Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, and smaller breeds such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers. “These types of dogs are easy to grab and run with,” he says.

Top 10 Targeted Breeds
While all dog guardians should be aware of the possibility of pet theft, some breeds are said to be bigger targets. They include:

• Pit Bull
• French Bulldog
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Chihuahua
• Pomeranian
• Maltese
• Shih Tzu
• Labradoodle
• Labrador
• German Shepherd

How Can a Thief Steal Your Dog?
If you’re one of those people who like to take her dog along on errands, consider leaving him at home if he can’t be by your side the entire time. You should never leave your dog alone in the car. A couple of minutes can make all the difference, and a determined thief will have no problem smashing your windows to get to your pup.

In some areas, it’s not uncommon to see a dog tied up outside a storefront. Leaving your canine companion unattended, even for a moment, makes him vulnerable to thieves, especially if he’s the friendly type.

A lot of dogs love being outside, but if your backyard is accessible or visible to strangers, you should keep a close eye on your pup. Dognappers will use whatever tricks they can to lure your precious pet away from your home.

Even when you and your dog are out for a walk, there is still a potential for danger. Some dogs are extremely well behaved off leash, but that doesn’t mean they should have free rein of the neighborhood. Think of the leash as a safety net that keeps your dog close by your side.

Ways to Safeguard Your Dog:
Make sure your dog is microchipped and that the contact information on file is up to date.

Another important safety tip is to stay tight-lipped about where you live, places you frequent with your pup, or even how much you paid for him. Remember, thieves look for high-value dogs.

If your dog is stolen, immediately report the theft to police, call your microchip company and any lost-dog or stolen-dog databases that you know of in your area, including local shelters.

Distribute fliers and get the word out on social media.

Keep a written description and pictures of your dog on you at all times.  

If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, report it to the police.