Nobody wants to imagine their pet going missing, but unfortunately, it’s a reality many pet owners face. In fact, a staggering 1.7 million pets disappeared across the United States during 2024, according to a new study.
Pet911, the international lost pet recovery system founded in 2017, analyzed over 1.5 million lost and found pet records to uncover patterns in pet disappearances, revealing some eye-opening trends.
Summer is the riskiest season for pets to go missing, likely due to increased outdoor activity. Around 45% of lost dog cases and 40% of lost cat cases occurred during summer months. Spring follows, with 31% of dog and 30% of cat disappearances, while winter sees the fewest cases — just 7% for dogs and 8% for cats.
July stands out as the most dangerous month overall, with a sharp spike on the 4th of July. Reports of lost dogs increase by 31% around Independence Day, likely due to fireworks frightening animals and the higher chance of doors or gates being left open during outdoor celebrations.
If you ever come across a lost dog, knowing how to safely approach and help can make all the difference in reuniting pets with their owners.
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