Why Are Thieves Targeting Pets?

Your dog might serve as a guard dog, a deterrent for potential home invaders, but did you know that dogs themselves are becoming a more popular target for criminals to take? The data says pet theft is rising quickly. Here’s how to better protect your pet from would-be thieves.

An Alarming Trend

Dog theft increased by 30% in 2022 compared to 2023, according to data from the American Kennel Club. Experts attribute the rise in petnapping to increased demand and limited supply for designer dogs and purebreds. Thieves are stealing expensive dogs like bulldogs, frenchies, and pomskies from their homes and selling them for a quick profit. It can be devastating to experience the loss of a furry friend, and research shows that over 80% of missing pets are never returned to their rightful owner. While this news is alarming, there are steps you can take to make sure your dog stays safe from potential abduction or ensure it makes its way home if something were to happen.

Microchip

The most important step for any dog owner is to microchip their pet and keep all contact information for the animal up to date. If a lost or stolen dog turns up at a vet or shelter, they will use the information from the microchip to contact the original owner. Failure to update your contact information could keep your pup from returning home.

GPS Collar

GPS collars or tracking technology like Apple^® AirTags^™ can help locate a stolen dog. Even if the thieves remove the device after fleeing the scene, it could give authorities an idea of what direction they were headed when they removed it.

Secure Yard

A strong privacy fence, locked gate, and outdoor camera can help keep your pup safe from potential pet abduction. Thieves should not be able to see into or enter your yard - certainly not without arousing suspicion. 

Supervision in Public

Never leave your dog in the car for errands, even if you do leave the air conditioner running and doors locked. Thieves can take advantage of brief opportunities to snatch your unsupervised pet. Make sure to only take your dog along for trips where they can be under constant supervision. 

Spay and Neuter

Many pet thieves are looking to sell purebreds for breeding purposes, so spaying and neutering can make your dog a less attractive option to thieves. 

Report Immediately

If your dog is stolen, report the theft immediately to the police, your microchip company, and any stolen pet databases in your area. The quicker you act to report the dog as missing, the more likely your lost pet is to be recovered.

No one wants to think about losing their canine companion, but the data suggests it’s a real risk and if your dog does disappear, the odds of reuniting are slim. To keep your dog safe from pet abduction, the best thing you can do is follow these six simple steps.

References: How to Keep Your Dog Safe When Pet Theft Is on the Rise | A Yorkie was dognapped. A man who hunted al-Qaeda came to the rescue. | Dognapping Is On the Rise-These 7 Tips Can Keep Your Dog Safe | US Missing Pet Epidemic and Euthanasia Statistics: Facts/Figures: