More than 25,000 pets have gone missing in the UK in the past 18 months, according to one of the UK’s largest lost and found pet databases.
Petlog found that almost 5,000 dogs and over 20,000 cats were reported missing between January 2023 and June 2024, with the South East pinpointed as UK’s missing pet hotspot.
However, despite the high number of lost animals, more than 3,500 dogs and over 13,000 cats were reported as found, meaning that 74% of dogs and 62% of cats were reunited with their owners.
Dogs and cats weren't the only pets to go missing. Since the start of 2023, a reported 700 ferrets, 300 tortoises and 20 camelids (camels, llamas and alpacas) have also been lost.
The majority of the UK's missing animals were reported in England (roughly 3,400 dogs and 16,000 cats).
In Wales, 2,201 cats and 686 dogs were reported as missing. Meanwhile, Scotland logged 553 cats and 180 dogs; and Northern Ireland reported 40 dogs and 111 cats.
Why do pets go missing?
According to The Kennel Club, who manage Petlog, more pets go missing during summer than any other season.
There can be many reasons why a dog or cat goes missing. They may have been scared by another animal, a person or a vehicle, chasing off rival pets, or even stolen.
Microchipping your cat or dog is law
Petlog says the number of missing pets would have been a lot higher if they were not microchipped.
A microchip is a tiny device that is inserted quickly and simply under your pet's skin by a trained professional. The chip gives your pet their own unique code and allows it to be easily identified and returned.
It's mandatory that your dog or cat is fitted with a microchip and registered on a database. According to the GOV.UK website, "your dog must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 8 weeks old," while "your cat must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 20 weeks old. This includes cats that usually only stay indoors."
Keeping the chip updated is the owner's responsibility, says Bill Lambert, spokesperson for Petlog. “Pet microchips help to reunite tens of thousands of much-loved pets with their owners, but it is not a magic wand and will not work if owners do not keep their contact details up to date with their microchipping database.
"A lot of families move house and change phone numbers, without updating these details with their database, making it impossible to reunite their pets in a lot of cases.
“Checking and updating your details this National Microchipping Month is such a simple step but can make all the difference.”
More information visit the Petlog website.
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