With so many random observances on the calendar, HR can be excused for missing that July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month. And unless managers are themselves pet parents, they may dismiss the idea as irrelevant.

But far from being yet another diversion, lost pet prevention is a serious topic affecting employee productivity and engagement. It touches on the core value of employee pet benefits.

“By now, most employers have heard of pet benefits,” explains Amy Crane, VP of Voluntary Benefits at Pet Benefit Solutions, a PlanSource pet partner. “Unfortunately, though, many limit themselves to pet health insurance. It’s a shame because a company with a broader approach to pet benefits can distinguish itself in an employee’s market.”

More than half of U.S. households are pet families in 2023; 66% is the exact number published by the American Pet Products Association. That represents 86.9 million homes! While Millennials and Gen Zers are statistically more likely to be pet parents, many older Americans have pets, too. And since it’s common for pet families to have multiple pets, the true number of furry family members is well over 100 million.

Which leads us to the scope of the lost pet problem. July is highlighted as Lost Pet Prevention Month since animal services see a spike in lost pets around Independence Day. Loud noises and fireworks agitate pets, who then try to escape to safety.

But lost pets are a problem year-round. A quick Google search will reveal the popular statistic that 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime. However, a more in-depth search will show that number to be unproven. The actual numbers are lower, but still distressing.

An ASPCA-funded study found that:

• Approximately 14% of dogs are lost at least once in 5 years.
• Approximately 15% of cats are lost at least once in 5 years.
• Approximately 7% of dogs and 25% of cats are never recovered by their families.

Given the high number of pets in the U.S., that’s millions of lost animals! Some may be living on the streets or adopted by a different family. However most commonly, they are killed or euthanized. The sad reality is that some animal shelters hold stray animals for only 3-5 days before putting them down.

Why does this matter to employers? A lost pet will affect an employee’s performance on multiple levels.“Pets are family,” explains Amy, “It’s crucial for HR to recognize that pet wellbeing is directly tied to employee wellbeing.”

From a mental health perspective, missing pets can trigger significant grief. A pet parent may experience denial, anger, guilt or depression. There may be physical symptoms such as crying, loss of appetite or insomnia.

And since pets reduce anxiety and relieve stress, the effects of lost or missing pets can be far-reaching. Supporting employees through their difficulties earns their gratitude and trust.

But it’s not necessary to wait for the crisis! “Lost Pet Prevention Month can be a terrific opportunity to reach out to employees with information about preventing lost pets,” suggests Amy. “It’s a win-win. Your pet parents will appreciate your concern. They’ll see that you ‘get it.’ At the same time, you’re potentially helping your bottom line by preventing pet loss.”

While there’s no perfect solution, the American Humane Society explains that the lost pet problem could be drastically reduced if more animals were properly identified. Tags and microchips are the primary means of pet identification–and they work. The ​​AVMA studied more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters. They found that if a pet had identification:

• Owners were more than 2x more likely to be reunited with their dogs.
• Owners were 21x more likely to be reunited with their cats.

This, too, presents an opportunity for employers. It’s no secret that pet benefits have been popular for years. The NAPHIA State of the Industry Report 2023 revealed that the pet insurance industry grew 250% from 2018 to 2023! And EBN’s recently published research showed that pet benefits are among the top 10 wanted benefits in 2023.

Beyond pet health insurance, pet benefits can include pharmaceutical discounts, reduced prices for pet products or food and pet telehealth services. Offering multiple options serves more employees since every pet family has unique needs. In particular, addressing lost pet prevention shows employees that you’re truly a pet-focused company.

“Pet Benefits includes ThePetTag as part of our Total Pet Plan,” says Amy. “We’re the only PlanSource pet partner that offers a pet tag and lost pet recovery service. By signing up through the Partner Marketplace, it takes only minutes for employees to ensure that their pets return safe and sound.”

ThePetTag works in 3 simple steps:

• Register your pet for ThePetTag service and order your free pet tags.
• Attach ThePetTag securely to your pet’s collar.
• Scan the tag with a smartphone to access emergency contact information.

ThePetTag is effective for any animal that can wear it. There’s a common misconception that cats won’t wear collars. That’s probably why a greater percentage of cats vs. dogs never return home. But research proves otherwise. A ​2010 Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) study​ reported that more than 70% of the cats in its study successfully wore their collars for more than 6 months.

“This month is the perfect time to expand your pet benefits offering,” says Amy. “Our pet benefits were created for employee groups and are integrated with PlanSource. They’re incredibly easy to implement and administer. Call us at (888) 913-7387 or email us at ​info@petbenefits.com to learn about all our options​.”