Search and identification methods that owners use to find a lost dog.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the process by which owners search for lost dogs and identify factors associated with time to recovery.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Owners of 187 dogs lost in Montgomery County, Ohio, between June 1 and September 30, 2005.


METHODS
A telephone survey was conducted.


RESULTS
132 of the 187 (71%) dogs were recovered; median time to recovery was 2 days (range, 0.5 to 21 days). Dogs were recovered primarily through a call or visit to an animal agency (46 [34.8%]), a dog license tag (24 [18.2%]), and posting of neighborhood signs (20 [15.2%]). Eighty-nine (48%) dogs had some type of identification at the time they were lost (ie, identification tag, dog license tag, rabies tag, or microchip). Owners had a higher likelihood of recovery when they called an animal agency (hazard ratio, 2.1), visited an animal agency (1.8), and posted neighborhood signs. Dogs that were wearing a dog license tag also had a higher likelihood of recovery (hazard ratio, 1.6). Owners were less likely to recover their dogs if they believed their dogs were stolen (hazard ratio, 0.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that various factors are associated with the likelihood that owners will recover a lost dog. Both animal agencies and veterinarians can play a role in educating dog owners on the importance of identification tags, licensing, and microchips and can help to emphasize the importance of having a search plan in case a dog is lost.
Lord
Linda K
LK
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Wittum
Thomas E
TE
Ferketich
Amy K
AK
Funk
Julie A
JA
Rajala-Schultz
Päivi J
PJ
D000329:Advertising; D000823:Animal Identification Systems / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D003201:Computers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D010067:Ownership; D013997:Time Factors