Spring! When a Young Dog's Fancy Turns to...Walkabouts?

Spring has taken a while to arrive, but it does feel good now that it ​has
finally arrived. With spring, in come the kittens, the stray dogs and ​ wildlife. HAWS’ Animal Rescue Team is busy on the road!

Stray dogs “happen.” They sneak out when the kids run out the door, they  ​find open gates and go for walks in the spring sunshine – just like we do. ​A friendly dog looks for company where ever it can find it, so with more people outside, more dogs are enticed into excursions. I own huskies that are opportunists, and will run just for the joy of it! If you are not quick at the gate, the chase is on. Stray dogs happen. The most diligent owner can be challenged.

I continue to be amazed at the number of dogs that come to us that do not have any identification on them. Microchips are great BUT they cannot be read by the general public. A dog tag is an affordable and simple means to have your dog returned to you. Often, if it is a friendly dog, the finder will call you directly, preventing a trip to the shelter.

A few ideas for simple insurance:
• Get TWO tags: put them on separate rings so if 1 ring fails you will still have another tag.
• Check your tags on a regular basis.
• Put your CELL PHONE number on the tags! There are two sides to most tags, so fill them up with numbers. You will probably be out looking for your dog, so the cell phone number is the most important.
• Consider putting a number on the tags that is for a relative or your dog sitter in case your family is out of town and your dog gets loose.
• You can write your cell phone number ON the collar with a permanent marker if you have a nylon collar of a lighter color; more insurance if the tags come off!
• Microchips are a good, permanent form of identification. They prove ownership. If you have a microchip, does it have the correct contact information associated with it? This is a good time to update that. Often we will call in a chip, contact the number and find out the phone isn’t current or the owners have moved from the listed address…or the dog no longer even belongs to them!

When your dog does run, be sure to call HAWS immediately at 262-542-8851 to file a "Lost" report.  That way we can all keep an eye out - and reunite you and your pet sooner rather than later!

Spring. It’s a good time to check on tags and update all information. Take a walk and meet the neighbors so they know who your dog is. Be prepared; maximize the chances of your dog getting returned and minimize the chances of them getting away. Nothing takes the place of supervision and leashes, but if the worst happens, tags and microchips will help your dog get home.

By the way – your dog would love to come with you to HAWS 30^th Anniversary Pet Walkathon, this Saturday…!