Pet owners turning to cameras and trackers as fear of dog theft grows

Kenneth Fox

A new survey is highlighting how owners in Ireland are turning to technology to help keep their pets safe.

Research from Petinsurance.ie ahead of Lost Dog Awareness Day on April 23rd, shows:

• 31 per cent use home cameras to keep an eye on their pet when they are not at home;
• 44 per cent say their pet has a tag or tracker;
• 42 per cent have or would get CCTV or a doorbell camera to keep their pet safe;
• 30 per cent have or would consider using a drone or pet detective to find a missing pet.

With 17 dogs reportedly stolen across Ireland in the first six months of 2025, the research also shows that pets going missing is a real concern for owners:

• 46 per cent say they worry about their pet being stolen;
• 57 per cent worry about their pet being involved in a road accident;
• 75 per cent of respondents have or would offer at least €100 as a reward if their pet went missing.

The Petinsurance.ie team says that no matter what tech owners use, pets can still sometimes go missing, and it is important owners contact these organisations as soon as possible:

-Gardaí (please make a note of your Crime Reference Number (CRN))

-Local authority, such as a dog warden

-Local vet practices and rescue/welfare centres

-Microchip provider

Having as much information to hand as possible will be really helpful – a pet’s name, appearance, breed, gender, whether it’s spayed/neutered, type of collar or harness, along with a photo, details of where and when it went missing and a contact phone number.

Owners could write or print out some posters with information on them and put these up with permission in local shops and community centres.

Relevant social platforms can be used to help raise the alarm, and many neighbourhoods maintain very active pages where members can help keep an eye out for a missing pet.

The NSPCA also hosts a ‘Lost and Found’ page on their website where owners can report both missing and found pets.

Head of pet at Petinsurance.ie, Andrew Simpson, says this can be a very tough experience for pet owners: “Sadly, even when an owner does everything right, some missing pets do not come home, and this is a terribly distressing time for everyone. Owners going through the loss of a pet must have someone to talk to.

"Our customers can access our Bereavement and Loss service via our 24/7 Pet Careline, where our fully trained team is always here for you to talk to in a safe and non-judgmental space," he said.