This Really Happened!
By Cindy Youngers
When local real estate agent Robyn Suppa saw a tiny Shih Tzu run in front of her car in Williamsville while driving with her son to pick up dinner, she immediately stopped, thankful to have not hit the dog. While driving around and stopping to knock on doors to identify its possible owner, Robyn recognized the dog’s bow as the same one her friend’s dog wore after being groomed at Cara Mia Pet Resort. Although the dog was not wearing an id tag, she was in Cara Mia’s computer system, and it wasn’t long before Emmie was reunited with her owners, Rachel and Kevin Okiec.
The Okiecs didn’t even know Emmie was missing. “We had let her outside to go to the bathroom. When the phone rang at 8:00 pm we couldn’t imagine why Cara Mia would be calling. When we looked outside, saw that Emmie was missing and that the yard gate was open, we were so embarrassed. We felt like terrible dog parents, drove to pick her up immediately, and have ordered a new id tag.
Fortunately, Emmie’s story had a happy ending. However, according to the American Humane Association, more than 10 million U.S. dogs and cats are lost or stolen each year. Many end up in shelters and humane societies, and may get euthanized if not reunited with their owners. The following are some tips to help you keep your pet safe from harm.
License your pet. Licensing your pet creates a legal attachment, and is essential to a lost or stolen pet’s recovery.
Microchip your pet. A microchip is very small, roughly the size of a grain of rice, and injected under your pet’s skin. The chip’s data can be read by a universal device that shelters and veterinarians have. It is important to keep your pet’s information updated with the microchip company’s database.
Get an ID tag and collar. It is important for pets to wear identification and vaccination tags on their collars. Pets who get out or break away from a leash while walking have a much better chance of being quickly with their owners if identification is available. These days, most Cara Mia clients are wearing GPS collars. Simply google GPS dog collars to learn more.
Develop a relationship with the vet. Annual well visits are an important component of pet health care. But they go beyond that. Vets familiar with pets and owners may be able to identify lost animals.
Be aware of loud noises and crowds. Some pets become skittish during harsh weather or loud noises, such as fireworks. Keep a frightened pet in a calm room or space away from the noise so they can’t dart out the door and become lost.
Secure the yard. Check for points of egress that can make it easy for pets to slip away, such as fence gates and spaces underneath the fence, and block them.
Spay or neuter the pet. Spaying or neutering pets reduces their desire to mate and more content to stay at home.
Cindy Youngers is the owner of Cara Mia Pet Resort in East Amherst. Learn more at www.caramiapetresort.com.
