How to keep your pooch safe

Dog theft has become high-profile big business in recent years, with celebrities such as Lily Allen, Liz Hurley and Bruce Forsyth's daughter having been among the thousands of owners that have become victims of dognapping.

According to statistics published by the UK's Missing Pets Bureau, 38% of pet owners that report their animal missing every year have actually had their pet stolen. Criminals have developed a good understanding of the value of household pets and it's not just prize-winning pedigrees of celebrity pooches that are targeted.

Dogs are taken for various reasons: some to fight in underground rings, others for illegal poaching. Some popular pooches - lately celebrity favourite toy dog breeds - are taken to sell on as pets.

However, thieves are also all too aware of the emotional value we place on our pets and are increasingly taking dogs to demand a ransom for their safe return. Some will wait for posters to be put up then act as a good citizen in claiming their reward money, while others will directly contact owners with their demands.

The latter is exactly what happened to singer Lily Allen's beloved English Bull Terrier Maggie May, and while the police advise against paying ransoms or offering rewards for fear of fueling the crime, the pop star handed over cash for the pet's safe return. Few would blame her - it's a heartbreakingly tough decision for any pet-owner to make. For many animal-lovers, losing a pet is like losing a child and they would go to any lengths to bring them home safely.

And whilst pet insurance may help towards covering costs of caring for a pet - it can never make up for the emotional impact of the loss or death of a beloved animal. The best thing you can do to ensure you don't find yourself in a similar situation is to prevent your dog going missing in the first place.

Prevention:

• Secure your garden with fencing or hedges so that your dog can't get out and dognappers can't get in. Treat your dog as you would any valuable possession when considering home security and keep them safe inside at night or when you're out - rather than tied-up outside or in a kennel.
• If you're going on holiday, leave your dog at a registered boarding kennel or with friends or family who have a secure property suited to dogs.
• When taking your dog out for walkies, keep them on a lead in public areas. If they are allowed off to run, make sure you can see them at all times and establish a strong recall so your dog returns when called.

Getting your dog back:

• Micro-chipping your dog - a procedure performed by your vet that involves implanting a microchip beneath the skin at the scruff of the neck - can help it to be traced back to your name and address if it goes AWOL.
• The law states that a dog must wear a collar and tag, detailing the name and address of its owner, when in a public place. These doggy accessories could help your pet be identified and safely returned if found dumped by dognappers.
• As soon as you find your dog goes missing, notify the police and your local dog warden authority. Also register your pooch on a local lost and found website and nationwide database such as www.dogslost.co.uk.
• Keep recent photos of your dog and proof of ownership documents (adoption certificate, vet registration, bill or sale, breeding contract and so on) so that you can prove the pooch is yours if found.

Sainsbury's offer a range of financial services including pet insurance, home insurance, life insurance, loans and savings accounts. Visit www.sainsburysbank.co.uk for quotes and more information.