APHIS FACTSHEET

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United States

Department of

Agriculture

Animal and

Plant Health

Inspection

Service

September 1997

Animal Care

Safeguarding Pets

Many people believe that pet thieves cruise neighborhoods and steal dogs and cats for profit. The thieves could

then sell the stolen animals to animal dealers and research

facilities that are licensed or registered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service (APHIS). Although the Animal Welfare

Act (AWA) protects animals in certain situations, the crime

of stealing pets does not fall under the purview of the AWA.

Local laws apply to the theft of pets.

The AWA does discourage pet theft however, by

requiring licensed animal dealers to keep records that help

trace lost and stolen dogs and cats. USDA, APHIS,

enforces the AWA. By understanding what this law can and

can’t do, pet owners can become aware of how they can

assist USDA in detecting pet theft.

Federal Efforts To Safeguard Pets From

Theft

The recordkeeping requirement of the AWA mandates

that federally licensed or registered businesses, institutions, or agencies record the names and addresses of all

people selling them dogs or cats. These businesses must

keep records showing each animal’s identifying number

and description. Animal dealers must hold all dogs or cats

they acquire for at least 5 days. Pounds and shelters

supplying dogs and cats to research facilities must hold the

animals 5 days including a Saturday. These requirement

are intended to facilitate tracing of lost or stolen pets.

APHIS inspects animal dealers and research facilities

at least once a year for compliance with the AWA regulations and standards. APHIS inspectors check the accuracy

of records by comparing them with the records kept by

other dealers in the same marketing chain. While this

recordkeeping system does not prevent all pet theft, it

discourages thieves from selling stolen pets through market

channels.

Owner Efforts To Safeguard Pets From

Theft

Responsible pet ownership is a critical key in securing

your pet’s safekeeping. While APHIS inspectors do their

part to prevent pet theft, the APHIS Animal Care staff

suggests that pet owners can protect their dogs or cats

from loss or theft by following these recommendations:

• Provide identification. Tattoo and tag your pet. Tattoos

can’t get lost and are difficult to alter. Microchipping is

another option. Contact your veterinarian or local humane

shelter for a safe animal tattoo or microchip. If possible,

tattoo your social security number on the inner thigh of your

pet. Collar tags should provide your name, address and

telephone number. Jot down your pet’s identifying marks,

plus its color, breed, and size. Take a clear, closeup color

photograph.

• Restrain pets. Keep cats and dogs inside. Put dogs

outside only in fenced yards for limited time periods. Leash

or harness your animals. Keep dogs and cats from roaming

by neutering them at the age your veterinarian recommends—usually about 6 months.

• Know your allies. Prepare and keep handy a current list

of persons who can help you find a lost or stolen pet. List

the phone numbers of local pounds, shelters, and other

animal collection centers. Add newspaper offices, radio

and TV stations that have lost-and-found departments, as

well as police, sheriffs, dog wardens, and other officials who

might help locate a lost or stolen pet.

• Contact APHIS Animal Care sector offices. These

sector offices, in Annapolis, MD, Sacramento, CA, Fort

Worth, TX, and Tampa, FL, can provide you with a list of

animal dealers and registered research facilities in your

area. Provide these dealers and research facilities with

pictures and information about your pets if they become

lost.

• Act promptly. Start looking for a missing pet immediately. Tracing becomes more difficult as memories dim.

Search your neighborhood frequently. Canvass your

neighborhood with lost-pet pictures, signs, and information.

Ask local neighbors and children to be on the lookout for

your missing pet.
• Don’t give up. Keep looking for more than a few days.

Strays sometimes return to their old neighborhood days or

even weeks after you first miss them.

Owner Responsibilities

Avoid having unwanted pets on your hands. Don’t get

a pet unless your family can take care of it. Be sure a

specific family member will be responsible for the overall

well-being of the animal. Choose a pet that will suit your

family now—and in the future. If you can no longer care for

your pet, find another home with people who will care for it

properly.

Should you decide to place a “free to good home”

advertisement, interview the intended recipient, secure

accurate identification (including address and telephone

number), and make followup inquiries to assure that your

pet is placed in an appropriate, permanent new home. We

urge that, before advertising, you contact your local humane

society or animal shelter for ways to safeguard your pet

from being fraudulently obtained for other purposes.

Don’t abandon the animal to a random death. The

most humane alternative is to give the animal to a shelter or

have a veterinarian end its life painlessly.

APHIS welcomes information about possible AWA

violations from the public. Anyone having this information

should contact his or her nearest APHIS sector office or

contact:

Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care

APHIS, USDA

4700 River Road, Unit 84

Riverdale, MD 20737