A dog running away – even if just for a short while – can be one of the most difficult things for a dog parent to go through. Earlier this year, one even lived alone on an island for a month.
But one Baltimore man has a plan to reunite as many missing pets with their parents as he can. Over the last year, he’s helped over 1,500 dogs and cats get back to their anxious pet parents.
59-year-old Bob Swensen and his wife were fostering a dog a few years ago, but the dog got away. Of course, this worried them a lot at the time.
Searching for Lost Dogs
After experiencing the stress of their foster pup running away, the couple decided to do all they could to help dogs get back home to their parents. So Swansen co-founded the Lost Animal Resource Group, which not only searches for dogs nearby but also helps people across the country find their dogs by offering advice and support.
Swansen often joins animal trapping groups and uses their tracking techniques when trying to find lost dogs and cats. He even uses his own tracking dogs too.
When Dogs Escape
Sometimes dogs will try to escape, and it can be dangerous, so it’s best to prevent them from doing so by making their home as exciting and interesting as possible. Some breeds, like Border Collies and Huskies, are more likely to roam for various reasons. Meanwhile, if dogs have excess energy they might be tempted to run away.
While it’s important to prevent dogs from running away, sometimes it happens. Swensen has a few tips to help find missing pets. He says that it’s best not to yell or chase them, as it can make their flight instinct worse. As an alternative, he says it can be beneficial to set up a feeding station with raw meats and treats at home. Leave out a piece of dirty laundry, too. This way, there’s a familiar scent.
“They’ll generally circle back and come home and yummy and familiar smells help them come back to the house,” he said.
