As a dog owner, the very first thing I think about when planning a holiday is, ‘Who is going to look after my furbaby?’ I had always thought that leaving her with family or friends was the best option. After all, they know her, she loves them and of course I trust them!
That was until I learnt about the dire consequences that this could have if she went missing.
According to RSPCA Qld spokesperson Michael Beatty:
“If a pet goes missing these minders often can’t provide crucial identification information and if the animal turns up at a shelter with no contact details it’s presumed to be a stray and can then be adopted by another family."
"In some cases, by the time the owner returns from their holiday and contacts us, the animal has settled into a new home which causes confusion and distress for all involved.”
Unfortunately, Michael said that there have already been 8 cases like this just this year, with the number likely to continue to rise over the Easter period.
Like me, you might think that if your pet goes missing while you are away that your friends or family will simply call you. However, they may not want to worry you, you might not be easily contactable, or your minder might not be as responsible as you thought!
