Frequency Of Lost Dogs And Cats

This study surveyed the percentage of lost companion animals, the percentage subsequently found, and the types of search methods utilised. About 15% of guardians reported losing a cat or a dog over a five-year period. More dogs (93%) were recovered than cats (75%), and dogs tended to be found by active searching of the area whereas cats tended to return on their own. These statistics suggest that a proportion of animals in shelters may actually be lost not abandoned. The authors recommend that animal advocates need to provide more information about active methods for finding companion animals. There is also a need to develop better methods of reuniting cats with their guardians.

Article Abstract:
“A cross-sectional national random digit dial telephone interview was conducted between September and November 2010. There were 1,015 households that had owned a dog or cat within the past five years. Of these 817 households owned dogs and 506 owned cats.”

“Fourteen percent of dogs (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 11–16%) and 15% (95% CI: 12–18%) of cats were lost in the past five years. No owner demographic variables were associated with losing a pet. Ninety three percent (95% CI: 86–97%) of dogs and 75% (95% CI: 64–85%) of cats were recovered. For dogs, searching the neighborhood and returning on their own were the most common methods of finding the dog; 14% were found through an identification tag. For cats, returning on their own was most common. Dogs were more likely than cats to be lost more than once.”

“Knowledge of the successful methods of finding dogs and cats can provide invaluable help for owners of lost pets. Since 25% of lost cats were not found, other methods of reuniting cats and their owners are needed. Collars and ID tags or humane trapping could be valuable approaches.”