We all love our fury little friends, they act as the most loyal companions and friends. The amount of us who own pets has dramatically increased over the past few years but unfortunately with that – so has the number of thefts. The number of pets getting stolen has risen by16% in the past few years with more than 5,000 stolen in the last three years.
Lots can be done to increase security for pets, including being careful what is posted about them on social media and walking in pairs or groups at night to prevent a targeted attack. We’ve put together our top five tips for preventing theft and keeping your pets safe.
1. Lighting
Security lights provide a deterrent for any burglar as the homeowner will be alerted to activity around their property. If they are not in then neighbours will notice, and a burglar could be clearly spotted due to the light on them and stolen pet. A burglar is much more likely to target a house in darkness because they can comfortably get away unnoticed or unidentified.
2. CCTV
The biggest warning for a burglar is cameras. If they spot one in the garden or by the side of the house then they are much less likely to break in as the evidence will be concrete if identified. With the rise in the number of people with Wi-Fi linked cameras, this can be taken further as you can spot any unusual activity outside your home beforehand and be aware of what is happening. The added benefit of this is inside there is often two-way audio so through a smartphone you can talk to your pet to calm them down if distressed.
3. Hire sitters or walkers
The main reason to have a sitter is to ensure a pet is comfortable and to provide them with some companionship if the owner is out for long periods of time, however, this also makes a home more secure. The presence of a person in a property will put off an opportunistic crook and they will look elsewhere. A dog walker also provides this security as someone will be seen around the property. With many thieves being chancers, this is a great way to keep furry friends safe.
4. Garden boundaries
Ensure your garden is secure to prevent a dog from escaping or being stolen. High fences are best and ensure gates or outdoor kennels are fitted with British Standard locks or padlocks to add those extra layers of security. If a garden has easy access, in just a few seconds a pet can be stolen.
5. Microchipping
A stolen pet is an owner’s worst nightmare, but it is vital that you get them microchipped in case the worst does happen. Should your animal friend be found by someone it is easy to identify the owner and have them returned, reducing the distress as they are more protected outside and won’t be left in a kennel or veterinary practice. It is already a legal requirement to have a dog microchipped and later this year it is expected that it will be mandatory to have a cat microchipped before they reach 20 weeks old.
For those that are unfortunate to go through this ordeal, make sure to contact the police as the Pet Theft Taskforce that was set up in the last couple of years pushes harder to find a solution for crimes of this nature. We hope our advice can keep people with the secure knowledge that their animal companions are secure if you are out or unaware of their whereabouts around the home.
