Lost pets often end up at shelters where they may or may not be found by their owner "in time." Collar ID tags and microchips can only do so much if the information isn't current. Here is the story of a lost dog we found at a local fireworks celebration, and how tags and 24PetWatch helped reunite a terrified dog with his relieved owners.
The 4th of July is over, but my city has an equally loud and festive celebration on the last Sunday in July featuring Handel's Royal Fireworks music. The event rivals the 4th of July, with over 50,000 people gathering in the city park for an afternoon and evening of activities, culminating in a large fireworks display.
My husband had errands to run, and was to join us just before the fireworks. As we waited, I noticed a dog walk by and thought; now WHO would bring a dog to the crowded park for fireworks? One second later, the dog was beside me, and I realized that my husband was the one walking it! Turns out that as he was parking, he heard a weird scratching sound nearby, and it was the dog; squeezing through the slider window of a pickup and running across the parking lot in the middle of the city.
Tip #1: Please don't underestimate how terrified dogs can become during loud noise events such as fireworks and thunderstorms. The will go through glass windows and paw their way through fences.
The car was from out of state, and no one was around the vehicle. The dog had tags (thank goodness), but they were home phone numbers, and no one answered.
Tip #2: Be sure to keep tag information updated, and please add cell phone numbers, especially when traveling.
The dog was a beautiful, wonderful dog, but beside himself with fear. The fireworks hadn't even started yet, but the music was loud. I am sure that the people around us were wondering why we brought our dog to the park for fireworks. We got the dog to the edge of the park, where it was quieter. My husband started calling all of the numbers on the tags, and leaving messages. He also called our local animal control to report the missing dog. Then he called one that we thought said "vet" but turned out to be one for 24PetWatch.
I hadn't heard of this service, but they saved the day (or night, as it so happened). They are a 24/7 live human service that has a database of owner information and additional phone numbers. They were able to give us the number of the daughter of the people who had the dog, and through a series of phone calls, we were able to return their dog in less than an hour. The owners had reached their car, figured out what happened, and were frantically searching the area.
Tip #3: Register your pet with 24PetWatch for added security if your pet ever becomes separated from you.
I found 24PetWatch through Google. The "24PetWatch Pet Recovery Network" is free for all pets who are microchipped. They include all brands of microchips, and you can keep all of your information updated online through their web site.
Additionally, they offer a plan called "EmergencyCare" (for an annual fee) so if you pet is found injured, they can receive up to $3,000 of veterinary care immediately. The "24PetWatch Medical" plan is a little more, but in addition to the emergency insurance, this plan includes having your pet's medical records online so they can be accessed anywhere by emergency care providers.
By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, About.com
Subject: Lost Dog!!! 
Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:50 pm
