How can I protect my pet?
Protect your pet by never leaving your pet unattended where it may be stolen. This would include cars and yards (even fenced yards). Take great pains to prevent your dog  and cat from straying by neutering your pet to curb the urge to roam and securing all fencing. Your Pet should always wear a collar with your name and phone number, in the event he gets away from you. Since collars can be removed, a permanent ID, like tattoos and microchips are also recommended as a back-up identification. Tattoos should be placed on the inside of the rear leg and not on ears, as ears will be cut off by the Class B dealers. Tattoos can also be altered or removed.  Schering-Plough now has a universal microchip (Home Again is the brand name) that can be read by several brands scanners if your Dog or Cat is lucky enough to be picked-up and examined by a Vet or a Shelter.  The American Kennel Club maintains a nationwide database of these microchip numbers. The chip is constructed in a way that tends to prevent migration from the injection site. Call (800) 234-6373 to find a Vet near you who offers this product.

Keep a file on your pet.
-clear photographs of your pet groomed and ungroomed
-notes of any unusual markings for further identification
-height and weight of pet
-list of local Shelters, pet rescue organizations and Veterinarians
-list of USDA offices to contact

Work to keep 'Bunchers' out of your town by discouraging the advertising of Free Pets in your local papers.  Educate those with Free Pet ads about the 'Bunchers.'