Even the most well-trained dogs can wander far afield. Excitement over chasing a rabbit or response to a fight or flight reflex can give a dog reason to leave home. Many find their way home, while others seemingly vanish into the ether. A look at the daily newspaper will reveal a host of lost and found advertisements, all seeking to find lost pets or reunite them with their owners.

Thanks to the miracle of some very innovative technologies, the odds of lost dogs and their owners being reunited have gotten better. Still, and for a number of reasons, the outlook for many lost dogs is bleak.

An unfortunate possibility is the theft of a beloved family pet. For many reasons, cases of dognapping are on the rise. The increasing popularity of new designer dog breeds has spurred a growing black market in stolen dogs. Other, more sinister intentions are behind the theft of dogs.

In spite of laws, regulations and prohibitions, many dogs are stolen for use in animal experimentation. Still others find themselves used as sparring partners for vicious fighting dogs. In other cases, a handful of unscrupulous animal feed producers buy stolen animals for use in their products.

In a particularly disturbing case, a Los Angeles family was threatened at gunpoint by a gang of thieves intent on stealing a litter of Yorkshire terriers. Not satisfied with stealing just the puppies, the dognappers stole the mother. The thieves answered an advertisement offering the puppies for sale.

Even if your beloved dog has not fallen victim to criminals, lost dogs often face a multitude of threats to their health and to their lives. Sadly, countless numbers of lost dogs are struck by vehicles every year. Still others end up in shelters with the eminent prospect of death by euthanasia, unless they are claimed by the owner or rescued by a caring stranger.

Owners have been largely on their own when it comes to finding their lost loved one. The good news is that new technologies are being adapted to helping owners locate their canine companions. From Global Positioning Systems or GPS, implantable microchips and cell phone based systems, the future for lost pets is getting a little brighter. Along with pet detectives and good, old fashioned hard work, dog owners have more options available to aid in the recovery of their pets.

Microchips and Dip

Implantable microchips have been available for several years. The chips are implanted under the skin and are designed to last for decades. The chips give animal control authorities and veterinarians the able to scan for the presence of a chip and read the owners contact information.

One drawback to this technology is the lack of what is referred to in the hi-tech world as backward compatibility. Prior to 2003 a universal scanning standard was in place. After 2003, some manufacturers abandoned the universal standard, opting for more proprietary technology. Implanting a chip in your dog is still a good idea, increasing the chances of the dog being found.

Plug and Play Pet Rescue

Another interesting technology combines a waterproof collar and a USB flash memory device. The flash drive can be loaded with scads of information, including how to contact the owner, vital medical information and other data. The drive can be accessed by anyone with a computer.

GPS Collars

Slightly more expensive than chips and flash drives, collars that utilize global positioning systems can aid in tracking the whereabouts of a lost dog. The collar emits a GPS signal that can be accessed by any standard GPS device or even by computer. There are some limits of this system, from dead batteries to lack of a GPS signal. Still, it is a great application of technology that can help owners find their four legged friends.

While there is no substitute for proper training, fencing and other low tech measures to protect our dogs, the future for many lost pets is much brighter thanks to these new fangled devices. Our dogs are worth it.