Homeward bound – Stories of strays returning to owners are about more than luck

In 2012, East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control impounded 8,570 pets and animals, including 2,504 cats and 4,319 dogs.

Approximately 69% were picked up as strays. Those animals made up a large percentage of the cats and dogs that entered the Companion Animal Alliance (CAA) shelter.

As sad as those statistics are, it’s even worse that 25%—more than 2,000—of those animals were estimated to be owned. They were lost and waiting to be found by their families that—while possibly looking for that cherished pet—never came to the North Baton Rouge facility.

Approximately 42% of CAA cats and 56% of dogs were rescued, returned or adopted that year; the remainder died.

It doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple precautions, the percentage of animals returned to their owners can improve.

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, my two golden retrievers shot outside. They take pride in patrolling their turf. Usually, after receiving a barrage of barking, squirrels, raccoons, possums, school buses, garbage trucks and other encroaching varmints simply flee. Once the perimeter is secure, my goldens triumphantly trot back to the house for a well-deserved, air-conditioned nap.

But that day, there was a non-stop squall due to the presence of two large, stray dogs standing at the end of the driveway. After enticing my dogs inside, I went looking for the strays. They had migrated to a neighbor’s yard. When I called them, they came.

Not only did they both have collars, they had tags. If I could get the number off the rabies tag, there was a chance of finding the owner.

However, the older Bernese Mountain dog mix began to growl at me (probably because my scent was the same as my inhospitable hounds). So, I targeted the goofier dog—a jumbo Rottweiler mix puppy that had flopped on his back. I was careful about reaching for his tags in case his Bernese buddy thought I was out to do harm. I memorized the number on one tag and called Animal Control.

Unfortunately, that tag was registered through an independent vet. So, I asked Clerical Specialist Susie Bourriague to dispatch an officer.

By the time Humane Enforcement Officer John Bigger arrived, the strays had settled on my lawn under a tree near a bowl of water.

As he approached, dogs seemed to have had enough of their adventure and were ready to have some help getting home. The dogs’ second tag was a parish-issued rabies tag. Bigger radioed the information to Bourriague. Records indicated both dogs had been vaccinated recently, so she had the owner’s home and cell phone numbers.

Bigger reached the owner instantly. She was at work and had no idea her dogs had gotten out. She was delighted to know where they were and left immediately to get them. While we waited, Bigger played with the dogs to keep them entertained and on the premises.

Because the dogs were never impounded, the owner was not charged a reclamation fee. More importantly, the dogs never experienced the trauma of being transported, processed and kenneled in the crowded, loud facility or the possibility of euthanasia.

It was more than luck that brought Beau (the Bernese) and Bud (the big baby) back home. A large return-to owner-from-the-field rate is now one of the benchmarks of an effective Animal Control program. The Animal Control team made a concerted effort to return the dogs without bringing the animals to the shelter.

That option was possible due to the actions of a responsible owner. The pups were up-to-date on vaccinations, and there was valid information affiliated with the rabies license. Furthermore, Bud was even microchipped.

If all owners would provide collars and tags, keep their pets up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and microchip, there might be a lot fewer sorry statistics and more happy tails to tell.

Many strays are not as fortunate as Beau and Bud. There are plenty of animals still looking for homes at Companion Animal Alliance. The adoption fee includes not only vaccinations and spay/neuter but also microchipping, so these animals will always be able to find their way home.

Charm is an absolute love! This small adult girl does well with other cats and dogs and loves to snuggle and sunbathe.

Big Bear is the sweetest 100 lb. lug of a Labrador retriever you could ever meet. At about three years old, this calm and gentle big boy basically lies around the house all day looking like a movie star. Extremely loyal, this guy is just happy to sit right beside his humans and hang out. For more information, contact his foster, Renee, at [email protected].

Weighing in at only eight pounds, Miss Tahiti is a sweet, petite black and white cat.

Cher is a four-year-old, special needs, blonde cocker spaniel. With her adorable freckles and stubby tail that rarely stops wagging, she is a total sweetheart and loves everyone. She is calm and gentle with children and would make a great addition to any family. She also does well with other animals. In fact, her best friend is a tiny, orphaned kitten, Jacques, whom she adopted when her foster parents brought him home a few weeks ago. They are inseparable. While crate-trained, Cher prefers to stay right next to her human at all times. She is housebroken and has great house manners. Although she has lots of energy, this sweet girl also likes to relax on the couch or on her dog bed. Unfortunately, a cataract caused by a hereditary disorder has left Cher completely blind in her left eye. She will need lens replacement surgery within the next few years in order to prevent complete blindness in her right eye. For more information, contact her foster at
[email protected].

Just a kitten herself, Luna came into with her litter of three tiny kittens. One has been adopted, and the other two are still up for adoption. So, this little Torti has joined the Catio crew. This affectionate, calm girl would make a great addition to a quiet home.

Vaught is a young border collie/Australian shepherd mix. She is a bit shy and submissive with people, loves other animals and takes the lead when walking on a leash (but her foster is working on that). For more information, contact his foster, Dex, at 225-620-6018 or [email protected].

All these pets have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested and microchipped. Many other adoptable dogs are available through Companion Animal Alliance. For more information, click here.