Almost a third (31%) of owners worry about their pet getting run over or being in an accident, and 17% worry about them being stolen.
Pets are more likely to go missing or be reported stolen during the summer1, when people spend more time outside, potentially leaving doors, windows or gates open, or visiting new or unfamiliar places.
New research by specialist pet insurance provider Insure Your Paws, has found that almost a quarter (24%) of UK dog owners and a one in five (19%) cat owners now use tags or trackers to help locate their furry friends if they go missing.
The research, conducted by Opinium2 among 1,000 UK cat and dog owners, also found that nearly a third (31%) worry their pet could be hit by a vehicle or involved in an accident, and one in six (17%) worry about their pet being stolen.
Almost four in ten (38%) say they wouldn’t be able to sleep or eat if their pet went missing, rising to half (50%) of women. A fifth (19%) would take time off work to search for their pet.
One in seven (14%) have spent hours searching for a missing pet, and one in ten (12%) say their pet has escaped from their house or garden.
When it comes to finding a missing pet, a third (34%) would post on social media or distribute flyers or posters if their pet went missing, and a quarter (27%) would offer at least £100 as a reward. Almost one in six (16%) would also consider using a drone search or pet detective.
Andrew Simpson, Head of Pet at Insure Your Paws said: "Losing a beloved pet is a frightening and distressing experience and it’s important to act quickly. We urge owners to contact their pet's microchip provider right away, as well as local vets, rescue centres and the police.”
“To support pet owners, Insure Your Paws now offers an optional extra ‘Find My Pet’ cover which provides financial assistance if your pet is lost, stolen or strays and is not found within 30 days. This includes up to £1,300 to help towards advertising costs and an agreed award amount.
“Since we launched in 2016, we've remained committed to evolving with the needs of modern pet owners and our new flexible cover options allow customers to tailor their policies to the right level of protection for their pets.”
1 https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media-centre/2022/june/more-pets-go-missing-during-summer/
2 Opinium online survey conducted with 1,000 cat or dog owners in the UK from 30 April – 6 May 2025
