Over 2 million pets have gone missing in last five years
An estimated 2.88 million cat and dog owners have had their pet go missing in the last five years with almost a quarter (22%) believing that their beloved pooch or moggie was ‘pet-napped' according to new research from Sainsbury's Pet Insurance.
The research found that cat owners were almost three times more likely to have lost their pet than dog owners (15% compared to 5.5% for the period covered). More than a third of the pets that went missing were never seen again. Almost a quarter (24%) of owners never found out what happened, with a further 11% discovering that, sadly, their pet had died.
Commenting on the findings, Lucy Hunter, Sainsbury's Pet Insurance Manager said: "Losing a pet can be a devastating experience, but it's alarming to see that many people do not follow the simple steps most likely to result in their safe return. The vast majority of those surveyed did not contact the police, place an advert in the local paper, or put up posters in the neighbourhood, which significantly decreases their chances of being reunited with their pet."
The research by Sainsbury's Finance whose pet insurance provides up to £1,000 towards the advertising costs for a lost dog or cat, found that the most popular actions for cat and dog owners trying to return a lost pet were to search the local area (74%) and speak with neighbours (64%). However, 7% did nothing.
Younger pet owners (25 to 34 years) were the age group most likely to lose a cat or dog with almost one in five people (19%) reporting their pets having gone missing. Conversely, 18-24 year olds were the least likely to be affected (7%).
Pedigree cats and dogs can be worth thousands of pounds, and thieves who steal animals to breed stand to make large financial gains for their crimes. There have even been reports of owners being held to ransom over their pets.
Sainsbury's Finance's top tips for pet owners to keep their pets safe:
Make sure your pet has a collar, with its name and a contact number attached
Get your pet micro-chipped - this takes seconds and is virtually painless. Consult your local vet for details
Keep garden boundaries as secure as possible to prevent your dog from escaping, this will also help deter thieves
Always supervise your dog, whether in public or out in the garden
Avoid tying your dog up outside a shop or leaving it unattended
If you use a dog walker, make sure they are trustworthy
When walking your dog, vary your routes.
Quality pet insurance does not need to be expensive, good cover at a competitive price can be found by shopping around for the best deal, and its essential to compare policies on a like for like basis - comparing on price alone could be disastrous. Sainsbury's Pet Insurance offers an extensive range of benefits at a competitive price. For further information, visit sainsburys.co.uk.