There are people who still let their dogs run loose - often with no collar and no identification. Some of these dogs have never seen a vet to get a rabies shot, distemper booster shot or to be neutered.

The lives of these unfortunate dogs are usually short. They get hit by cars, grabbed and sold to laboratories, attacked by coyotes or other dogs, caught in traps, etc. Sometimes they are found, but usually they are never seen again. In just the past few months and only in my area, I know of six dogs that have disappeared and were never found. They were all allowed to run free. Two of these dogs were mourned by their owners who will probably not let their next dog run loose. The others were just replaced or forgotten.

Occasionally my organization comes across someone that views pets as dispensable. As each dog is killed in the road they simply go out and get another one. One family has to date lost six dogs that way. That's one reason why shelters and rescue groups have comprehensive adoption applications and even do home visits.

On the other hand, the search for some lost dogs goes on for many months. There is a family in Auburn at this writing that has searched for two months for their little Chihuahua that got out when being cared for by a friend. The family is heartbroken. They have lost a cherished family member. They have done everything possible to find him including ads, signs, posters, calls to the SPCA and the dog warden, driving and walking around, offering a reward and even consulting psychics. (If anyone has found or knows the whereabouts of this little dog, please give me a call at 651-0186).

Roaming dogs also put us at risk. Several years ago, I swerved to avoid a dog in the road and was injured. Two teenagers in my community swerved to avoid a cat and were killed. Anyone that lets their dog roam needs to be aware that they are responsible for the injury or death that their pet causes. It is not the fault of the animal. Loose dogs also have been known to bite, chase children, joggers, bicycles, attack pets and chase deer.

Even indoor dogs and cats can get out and get lost or killed. All dogs should wear a collar with I.D. at all times (or be tattooed or micro chipped). Dogs should also wear their rabies tag and license.

We no longer live in farm communities with quiet roads where roaming pets were not so much at risk. Many communities have leash laws.

Responsible pet owners in communities that don't have laws build fences or use cable runs to keep their dogs safe and to keep them from being nuisances. We also often hear someone say that their dog is well trained and would never leave the yard. Yet all it would take would be a cat, skunk, deer, rabbit or squirrel to tempt a well trained dog to run off.

I often see classified ads placed by someone wanting to “get rid of” their dog supposedly because it “needs room to run!” No dog needs room to run. Every dog, no matter how small, needs exercise but that means at least two walks a day of 20 minutes or more. Letting a dog out into a fenced yard is a real convenience, but it is not exercise. That 40 minute investment in dog walking each day will calm a dog so that it is likely to sleep when the family is away during the day and much less likely to be destructive.

Out here in the country, we also see dogs that have been dumped and most farmers have barn cats that have been dumped at their farm. Stray and nuisance dogs are the responsibility of dog wardens who are paid to pick them up and house them for an average of five days before euthanizing them. Unfortunately, they don't advertise who they are and what they do and don't do, and the public often gives up when they can't reach them. If you care about a lost dog, keep calling and leaving messages and go both to your local shelter and the dog warden who covers your area to be sure your dog is not there. Dogs that have been injured are the responsibility of the SPCA.

Keeping our cats safe is a topic for another column.

Please spread the word: People with a benefit card (public assistance or medicaide or food stamps) can now get their pets spayed or neutered for only $20. For an application, call toll free (888) 669-0870.

Judy Vorreuter is the founder and director of Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes