Keeping your dog safe
Your dog depends on you for a safe and happy life.
Make sure he’s easily identified
Identify with a private identity disc, municipality tag and a microchip If he does run off and is found by someone, a disc with your telephone number, a municipality registration number and microchip is his ticket home.
Vaccinations Be sure to keep your dogs vaccinations up to date, annual booster vaccinations will help your dog stay disease-free.
Parasite and worming treatments should also be administered regularly (according to the manufacturers instructions)
Keep your dog on a lead
As a responsible dog owner, you should always keep your dog on a lead unless you are in an area where it is safe to let the dog off. No matter how obedient you think your dog is, there may be occasions where loud noises (such as car horns) or sudden movements frighten him, and he might run away. The same applies if he sees a cat and decides he’d like to take up the chase!
Not only could your dog get lost, he could also cause damage to either himself or someone else. In a worst case scenario he could even be injured in a road traffic accident. Keep him on a lead and keep him safe – it’s far cheaper, and a lot less traumatic, than a trip to the vet.
Don’t let your dog walk by himself
A dog on the street without an owner is illegal and he will be classed as a stray. When out and about, you must keep your dog on a lead and with you at all times.
Keep doors and windows shut
Make sure your house is secure. If doors are left open or your dog often escapes when the front door is open, fit baby gates. Keep lower windows shut so he can’t jump out, especially in summer.
Make your garden secure
Make sure fences are tall enough and strong enough to take a dog jumping up at them. Also ensure they can’t easily be tunneled under. Seal any gaps in the fencing; and keep gates shut at all times.
Ensure your dog is neutered
Most of the dogs we receive as strays are unneutered males. Ask your vet about neutering. Unneutered males have a tendency to roam. They hunt down females for mating and other males for fighting. Unneutered females cause all of the unwanted births of stray dogs in the world.
Be extra vigilant with new pets
Be ready for escape attempts from your new dog or pup, they don’t understand at first that they are in a better place.
Do not let your dog off the lead until you are sure he will come back to you when you call him.
