A missing dog need not be lost forever, and National Lost Dogs Awareness Day on April 23 helps make that a reality. This day was created to support the efforts of organizations that are involved in finding missing pets and help bring those that have strayed too far, back to their worried families. It was created by the directors of Lost Dogs Illinois, Wisconsin, and Texas respectively who have helped lost dogs find their way home since 2014.
History of National Lost Dog Awareness Day
Our pets are our friends and companions, because of this, they should be protected. Our dogs, as playful and loyal as they may be, are equally as curious and sometimes their adventures lead them to wander too far from home.
Every two seconds, a pet in the U.S. becomes lost, and one-third of all dogs in America are reported missing at least once in their lifetime. Some research indicates that 80% of those lost pets are never reunited with their families, with the majority being placed in shelters and eventually euthanized.
There are different ways to prevent your dog from getting lost in the first place and ensure their safe return home if they do. Some of these are; making sure your home is fenced or that your dog is always on a leash when outside. It is recommended that you tag your pet, microchip them, and also keep their records (which include your current contact number and address) updated. In the unfortunate case that your pet has gone missing, there are several organizations whose sole mission it is to find and return lost pets. One of them is the Lost Dogs of America, who are also credited with creating this day.
The Lost Dogs of America was established in 2011 with the mission of reuniting lost dogs with their families. In 2014, the director of Lost Dogs Illinois, Susan Taney, Marilyn Knapp Litt of Lost Dogs Texas, and the director of Lost Dogs of Wisconsin, Kathy Pobloskie, came together to create National Lost Dogs Awareness Day. Since then, it has helped thousands of dogs find their way home.
National Lost Dog Awareness Day timeline
Henry Bergh establishes The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.)
The very first animal shelter is built in the U.S.
The Lost Dogs of America is founded.
National Lost Dogs Awareness Day is created by the directors of Lost Dogs Illinois, Wisconsin, and Texas.
National Lost Dog Awareness Day FAQs
Do police look for lost dogs?
Your local police station can help find your missing dog. File a complaint with them and they will keep an eye out for stray dogs that may fit your description.
Who invented National Lost Dogs Awareness Day?
In 2014, the directors of Lost Dogs Illinois, Wisconsin, and Texas, Susan Taney, Kathy Pobloskie, and Marilyn Knapp Litt respectively, came together to create National Lost Dogs Awareness Day.
How many missing dogs are reunited with their families?
Only a small percent of lost pets end up being returned to their families. On average, only 15% to 20% of lost dogs are reunited with their owners.
How To Observe National Lost Dog Awareness Day
Microchip your dog
Microchips are tracking devices that are fixed to the collar or tag of your dog. These chips help you locate your dog, in the event that they go missing, making it easier to find them.
Update your dog’s records
Recent records of pets increase their chances of being found. Take the time to update this information that is key to your dog’s safe return
Help find a missing dog
One in three dogs goes missing in their lifetime. Have you seen fliers of a missing dog or animal in your neighborhood? Support efforts of reuniting pets with their owners by spreading the word, or even reaching out to the affected family for help or the Lost Dogs of America for help.
5 Surprising Facts About Missing Pets You Should Know
They are more common than you think
A third of all pets go missing in their lifetime.
They make up the majority in shelters
Twice as many pets that end up in shelters come in as strays.
A small number of them are returned
Only about 15% to 20% of dogs and 2% of cats are reunited with their family.
Most of them stray beyond the neighborhood
49% of missing dogs and 30% of cats are found in the neighborhood that they come from.
A large number of pets end up stolen
Each year, millions of dogs and cats are taken without permission.
Why National Lost Dog Awareness Day Is Important
It raises awareness and offers support
A missing dog causes a lot of distress to affected families because their pet is in danger of possible harm. National Lost Dogs Awareness Day prioritizes the safety of our dogs by raising awareness and encouraging active involvement in helping pet owners find their lost dogs.
It preserves the life of a pet
Although the majority of missing pets end up in shelters, the rest are either stolen, become strays, or worst of all, lose their lives. Unadopted or unclaimed pets in shelters also end up being euthanized to create space for new animals.
It encourages more security for pets
National Lost Dogs Awareness Day not only raises awareness around missing pets, but it also encourages dog owners to be more cautious regarding the safe-keeping of their dogs. This day highlights the need to apply security measures to decrease the likelihood of your pet going missing.
National Lost Dog Awareness Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 23 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | April 23 | Thursday |
| 2027 | April 23 | Friday |
| 2028 | April 23 | Sunday |
| 2029 | April 23 | Monday |
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