THERE ARE NO GOOD EXCUSES FOR NOT KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE IN YOUR YARD!
Every day, many lost dogs, or cat post goes up, even birds. Another frantic social media post circulates. Another animal ends up on the streets, vulnerable to traffic, predators, or worse. They may also become a nuisance to others, especially cats. Why? Because someone, somewhere, didn’t take the responsibility of pet ownership seriously enough to keep their animal safe. It is silly that I have to but I will add yes, there are some exceptions when animals get out, but the amount of animals out and about doesn’t share that story, it showcases a story of irresponsible owners. I am not even going down the avenue of the irresponsibility surrounding puppies/kittens or power breeds in the streets.
We understand that accidents happen and some animals are really escape artists, but one of the few reasons why animals get out is because IT IS EASY! You get climbers, runners, jumpers, diggers, chewers, some learn to open gates or some pets use a combination of the above. We have seen fox terriers climb trees to get out. Below we will share a solution for each!
But first, let me be clear on the following: Some people claim that they “have done everything” to keep the animal in…… IF YOUR ANIMAL IS IN THE STREET THEN YOU HAVE NOT DONE ALL YOU CAN TO KEEP THEM INSIDE. If you have, then they will not be in the streets. How do other people do it?
If your pet keeps escaping your yard, it’s not because they’re a mastermind worthy of a Hollywood heist movie. It’s because you’ve failed to put in the effort to make your yard secure enough. Sure, pets are curious and resourceful, but nine times out of ten, their escapes highlight owner shortcomings, not their genius (although I think many pets might be smarter than their owner).
And if you’re the type who’s shrugged off a neighbour’s complaint or ignored the dangers of a busy road nearby, ask yourself: Do you truly care about your pet’s wellbeing? Would you let a toddler wander onto the highway because they figured out how to open the gate? Or they know their way home. No, you wouldn’t. So why is it acceptable to leave your animal’s safety to chance?
As someone who is part of the lost and found animal team in our community, I am sick and tired, and this year will not be a year of asking nicely! During our whole “holiday” time and most weekends, our team members, and all the other organizations everywhere are running behind and worrying about someone else’s animals. This is 100% preventable and will lighten the load on animal welfare.
That is on top of the lousy excuses for giving up animals during this time of year (well any time). Mentally and physically, we start the year exhausted because someone else was irresponsible.
Thank you to those who pick up lost animals and keep them safe instead of dumping them on the already overwhelmed system, or expecting that someone else should do something. Thank you to those who already joined the foster network.
If you want to help even more, please JOIN THE FOSTER NETWORK HERE.
A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY
Pets are not wild animals; they rely on us to provide them with safe, controlled environments. A secure yard, a sturdy harness and leash, and a little common sense go a long way in preventing tragedy. If you’re too lazy or indifferent to do the bare minimum, then perhaps you should reconsider whether you’re fit to have animals at all.
ANIMALS DESERVE BETTER
At the end of the day, your pet’s safety is your responsibility. They didn’t choose you; you forced them to live in your world. So, stop making excuses and start making changes. Because the next time your pet gets out, they might not make it back. That is on you!
And how on earth do you not have a photo of your pet?
It’s time to do better. It’s not that hard. Read more here on whose animals deserve better.
Now, let’s look at some solutions so your pet doesn’t outsmart you.
ESCAPE-PROOF YOUR YARD AND KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE.
Secure your yard, but also take these PRECAUTIONS:
- Sterilize your pets which helps reduce roaming.
- Meet their needs in terms of enrichment (mentally, physically, etc).
- Don’t leave them alone for too long or consider daycare.
- Make your garden their happy place. (Sandpit, sensory garden, etc.)
- Microchip them and register the microchip on more than one database.
- Add a collar ID with your number on it.
- For cats a break-away collar with ID tag.
- Have a recent photo ready.
- Get a responsible pet sitter when you are away.
- When the garden services come, keep your pets inside.
- If possible, keep them in your backyard, away from the street, or only in the front yard with supervision.
- If your cleaner or gardener has a key, have a stern talk about keeping the gate closed.
- Always check your yard for foreign objects and poisons that may endanger your pets.
- Keep them away from gates & fences and out of sight to prevent theft.
Petology provides guidelines to equip you with plausible methods to secure your yard and The Paw Company on how to keep your cats in. This can be possible with little investment and effort.
JUMPERS & CLIMBERS
- Have large fences and high walls that can’t be easily climbed (no easy foothold).
- Choose solid panel fences without anywhere for your dog to stick his/her paws.
- Metal fence panels or palisades can work but you’ll need to make provisions to prevent them from digging under or slipping through.
- Make sure there’s nothing near the wall/ fence that your dog can use to give themselves a boost, like planters, benches, birdbaths, garbage bins, etc.
- Alternatively, you can add an extension to make the fence taller or you can install a 45-degree angle lean-in section (overhang) onto the upper part of your fence/wall with brackets. This tilts in to deter pets from getting over it.
- Another alternative could be to add a roller bar (a.k.a Coyote rollers) made from PVC or Metal, which dogs’ paws can’t hold onto. Both angled fences and roller bars work well for keeping cats in or out too.
DIGGERS, CHEWERS & SLIP THROUGH-ERS
- If you have palisades, you can add safe doggie bars that do not have sharp edges. You can also use a durable welded wire mesh overlay and secure it with cable ties. Not the plastic ones!
- If they squeeze through or dig underneath you can buy or custom-make metal dig-defence barriers with spikes, which go deep into the ground. If your fence is secure, but not your gate, consider a gate plate.
- You can pour a concrete footer along the perimeter of the fence and bury/mount the bottom of the fence into the mixture.
- Install an L-Footer/skirt/apron along the bottom of the fence, facing inwards. You can use a wire mesh fence, hardware cloth, or a piece of chain-link fence attached to the base of the fence. Bury it so that it is not visible, or lay it on top of the grass and hold it down with pins/stakes, rocks, gravel, mulch, or even planters.
- Some people use “bumper collars” which prevent the pet from slipping through, but I do not support this method.
RUNNERS
- Runners are those who dash out of the yard as soon as the gate opens. This means you will have to get creative to keep them in and it might require more planning and effort, but the effort can never outweigh the safety of your pet.
- In this case, you can consider getting the help of a qualified behaviourist/trainer. Rewarding good behaviour is more important instead of punishment or fear-based training. If you call them back and they come, give them a treat or lots of praise (not punishment)! Teach them to sit and wait, when the gate opens.
- Try to limit their access to the driveway or main gate. You can install a double gate, which means you create an enclosed area in the yard. If someone wants to come in or out, they have to go through one gate, then the other gate.
- You can use a temporary fence, portable playpen, enclosed area outside, or a kennel/run to put them in when you know the main gate will be opened.
- If your housing arrangement does not allow the above, then lure your pet into the house when you know the gate will open.
KEEPING CATS IN
- Higher walls (around 2m).
- As mentioned above, roller bars and angled fences work well for cats.
- Use nets
- Build a Catio
- Plant certain species of plants that cats dislike, but which are not poisonous to cats. Some cats seem to dislike the smell of rue, lavender, pennyroyal, coleus canina, and lemon thyme. Some cats also seem to not like strong citrus cents.
- Trim trees regularly and wrap them with plastic or PVC “dividers”, so they cannot climb high enough to get out.
- If you really cannot apply any of the above, try creating a routine for your cat, for example, a lick of wet food in the morning to make sure they “check in” and again in the evening. Once they are in for the evening, close the doors/windows until the morning.
- Create entertainment for your cats to keep them indoors more.
- Invest in a good quality cat harness. Acclimatize your cat to the harness from a young age. With patience and persistence, older cats will also get used to it.
Remember to never punish your pets when they come back. This will not take away the desire to escape but will make them afraid of returning home. Always find out why your pets try to get out and address the root cause. If it is a behavioural issue, contact a qualified behaviourist. Remember there is a difference between a trainer and a behaviourist.
If your pet does get out, follow our lost and found guide and make sure you post on your local groups (Verlore Diere Secunda (TEKS) Facebook group.) for our area.
IT IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE FOR YOUR PETS TO ROAM THE STREETS. Where there is a will there is a way! Don’t let your pets outsmart you!
