Pet Theft Awareness Day Date in the current year: February 14, 2026

Pet theft is more common than you might think. According to estimates, approximately two million pets are stolen in the United States each year. Dogs account for about 70% of missing pets, while cats account for about 20%. The remaining cases involve other animals. However, it is difficult to determine exact numbers because many pet owners do not report stolen pets, and when they do report a theft, police records usually do not specify the exact type of animal (dog, cat, etc.).

But why would anyone steal a pet? One of the most common reasons is financial gain. Purebred dogs are often stolen and resold to unsuspecting people who want to buy a specific breed, backyard breeders, or puppy mills. Stolen animals can also be sold to research laboratories and, in the case of dogs, to underground dogfighting rings. Pets are sometimes stolen for ransom, but this is rare. Small, fashionable dog breeds are more likely to be stolen because they are easier to steal and have a high resale value.

Some pet thieves are motivated by emotion. They may have a conflict with the owner and try to get back at them by stealing the pet. They may also steal a pet because they believe the owner doesn’t take good care of it or take a free-roaming dog or cat because they believe it is a stray. Impulse pet theft is relatively rare.

The best way to keep your pets safe is to keep them indoors or supervised at all times. Pet theft often occurs in broad daylight and in plain view, and it only takes a minute. If you own a dog, train it to come when called and keep it on a leash unless you’re in a safe, controlled environment, such as a dog park. Never let your unleashed dog out of your sight. Avoid running errands with your pet; if you absolutely must, do not leave your pet alone in a car or outside a store.

Another important aspect of keeping your pet safe is identification. While it does not prevent pet theft, it makes it easier to locate a lost or stolen pet. Collars and tags only work for lost pets because a pet thief would definitely remove them. Microchips are much more reliable as long as you keep your information in the manufacturer’s registry up to date. If possible, we recommend that your pet have both a collar with a tag and a microchip.

Pet Theft Awareness Day, also known as National Pet Theft Awareness Day, was created by Last Chance for Animals (LCA). Founded in 1984 by Hollywood actor Chris DeRose, the nonprofit originally focused on opposing vivisection, but it has since expanded its focus to include the fur trade, animal use in entertainment, pet theft, and other animal rights-related issues. You can get involved by learning about the main methods to prevent pet theft, taking steps to protect your pets, and spreading awareness on social media with the hashtag #PetTheftAwarenessDay.