Veterinary professionals are urging pet owners to strengthen preventive measures to reduce the growing number of dogs and cats that go missing each year, warning that many disappearances could be avoided through responsible pet ownership.
The call comes as Kenya marks Lost Pet Prevention Month, with experts saying measures such as secure fencing, identification tags and microchipping can improve the chances of keeping pets safe or reuniting them with their owners.
Although Kenya has no centralised database on missing pets, veterinary clinics, rescue groups and animal welfare organisations report increasing cases of lost dogs and cats, raising concerns about animal welfare and the emotional impact on affected families.
"Pets are more than companions—they are family. Losing one can be devastating, but many cases are preventable through responsible pet ownership," said Rosebella Ochango, a veterinary professional and Business Developer at PetStore Kenya.
She urged pet owners to ensure their homes are secure, fit pets with identification tags and consider microchipping, which is now available at a growing number of veterinary clinics across the country.
"These simple actions can make all the difference in keeping pets safe and helping them find their way home if they ever become lost," Ochango said.
Veterinary experts attribute many missing pet cases to unsecured gates and fences, pets slipping out of collars or leashes during walks, panic triggered by fireworks and thunderstorms, accidental escapes during travel, and the roaming instincts of unsterilised animals.
Young pets are also more likely to wander away if left unsupervised.
Experts say proper identification remains one of the most effective ways of reuniting pets with their owners. While identification tags enable members of the public to contact owners immediately, microchips provide permanent identification linked to the owner's contact details.
Pet owners are also increasingly adopting GPS-enabled collars and tracking devices that allow them to monitor their animals' movements through mobile phone applications. However, experts caution that technology should complement—not replace—responsible supervision and secure home environments.
They also advise owners to understand their pets' behaviour, noting that loud noises such as fireworks, thunderstorms and construction work can cause animals to panic and flee.
Keeping pets indoors during such events, providing regular exercise and recall training, and seeking veterinary advice for animals with severe anxiety can reduce the risk of escape.
If a pet goes missing, veterinarians recommend acting immediately by searching nearby neighbourhoods, notifying neighbours, contacting veterinary clinics and animal welfare organisations, and sharing recent photographs through community groups and social media platforms.
They further advise owners to have recovered pets examined by a veterinarian to check for injuries, dehydration, parasites and infectious diseases before returning them to their normal routine.
PetStore Kenya said it supports responsible pet ownership by promoting preventive healthcare and helping circulate notices for missing pets through its community platforms.
The company said greater public awareness remains key to reducing cases of lost animals.
