Distance Traveled by Lost Dogs from Lost Location to Found Location

Spatial and statistical analyses were performed on data submitted by government-run animal care agencies (ACAs) from three southeast Minnesota municipalities for the purpose of using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the distance traveled by lost dogs from lost location to found location. Data submitted included descriptions of each dog and the location where the dog was lost and was found. An individual or ACA that finds a dog expends time and money attempting to reunite the dog with its owner. Likewise, a dog’s owner expends time and money attempting to find his or her dog. Determining the distance traveled by lost dogs has the potential to help owners refine their search efforts for their lost dogs, as well as to assist ACAs in locating owners of found dogs impounded. Knowledge of the distance traveled by lost dogs also will be useful for developing proactive strategies for reuniting dogs and owners. The proactive reunification strategy discussed in this research is a GIS application which ACAs could use to identify households with licensed dogs nearby the location where a dog is found. A GIS application would help reunite dog and owner regardless of whether a dog was found wearing a collar with an attached license tag. Using a GIS application to proactively reunite dogs and owners could reduce monetary and nonmonetary costs incurred by dogs, owners, finders and ACAs.