Some 5 million family companion animals are reported missing annually. Based on "pet theft" reports, it is conservatively estimated that approximately 1.5 to 2 million of these missing companion animals are taken forcibly, or by deception, through so-called "Free to Good Home" ads.
Dogs and cats are sold to many different clients for many uses, including dog-fighting rings as fighters or as bait, to puppy mills for breeding, as meat for human consumption, as prey for exotic animals, as fur for clothing or accessories, as protective guard dogs, or for cult rituals. However, the most consistent and highest-paying client is often the research industry. Hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs are used as laboratory subjects in universities and testing and research institutions every year. Research institutions prefer to experiment on animals that are accustomed to humans, as they tend to be docile and much easier to handle.
Some pounds, shelters and humane societies may sell "surplus" dogs and cats to Class B dealers and/or research facilities - a practice commonly called "pound seizure." Only a few states have outlawed pound seizure. In those states where pound seizure has not been banned, it is up to each city or county (depending on whether a facility is city or county run) to decide whether or not to allow or mandate pound seizure.
Whether or not a state-wide ban on pound seizure exists, some pounds or shelters practice pound seizure illegally - some even acquiring the animals illegally. There are known cases of family dogs and cats being picked up as "strays," being "laundered" through the pound, shelter or humane society system (by withholding them from view or taking them to an out-of-town facility to fulfill the required five-day holding period), and later sold to a dealer or research facility.
Having a pound, shelter or humane society that practices pound seizure in your area means that every companion animal is worth money, and increases the chances of pet theft occurring in your community.
Kila mwaka, karibu wanyama milioni tano wa kufugwa wanaripotiwa kuwa wametoweka. Kulingana na ripoti za wizi wa wanyama, inakadiriwa kuwa karibu milioni 1.5 hadi 2 ya wanyama hawa waliopotea huchukuliwa kwa nguvu au kwa udanganyifu kupitia matangazo ya 'Free to Good Home'. Mbwa na paka huuzwa kwa wateja wengi tofauti kwa matumizi mengi, ikiwa ni pamoja na pingu za kupigana mbwa kama wapiganaji au kama mtego, kwa viwanda vya mbwa kwa uzazi, kama nyama kwa matumizi ya binadamu, kama mawindo kwa wanyama wa kigeni, kama manyoya kwa nguo au vifaa, kama mbwa wa ulinzi, au kwa ibada. Hata hivyo, mteja thabiti zaidi na anayelipa zaidi mara nyingi ni sekta ya utafiti. Kila mwaka, mamia ya maelfu ya paka na mbwa hutumiwa kama majaribio katika vyuo vikuu na taasisi za majaribio na utafiti. Taasisi za utafiti hupendelea kufanya majaribio juu ya wanyama ambao wamezoea wanadamu, kwa kuwa huwa na utii na ni rahisi zaidi kushughulika nao. "Kama vile, baadhi ya makazi ya wanyama, makazi ya wanyama na mashirika ya kibinadamu yanaweza kuuza mbwa na paka ""wa ziada"" kwa wafanyabiashara wa darasa la B na au vituo vya utafiti - zoea ambalo kwa kawaida huitwa ""kuchukua paundi.""" Ni majimbo machache tu ambayo yamepiga marufuku kunyakua paundi. Katika nchi ambazo ukamataji wa pauni haujapigwa marufuku, ni juu ya kila mji au kaunti (kutegemea ikiwa kituo ni jiji au kaunti inayoendeshwa) kuamua ikiwa inaruhusu au hauruhusu ukamataji wa pauni. Kama au si marufuku ya jimbo lote juu ya pound kukamata ipo, baadhi ya pounds au makazi mazoezi pound kukamata kinyume cha sheria - baadhi hata kupata wanyama kinyume cha sheria. Kuna visa vya kutolewa kwa mbwa na paka wa familia kama "watembea-tembea", na kuwa "kufuliwa" kupitia mfumo wa mkanda, makazi au jamii ya kibinadamu (kwa kuwazuia kutoka kwa mtazamo au kuwapeleka kwenye kituo cha nje ya mji ili kutimiza kipindi cha siku tano kinachohitajika), na baadaye kuuzwa kwa muuzaji au kituo cha utafiti. Kuwa na pound, makazi au jamii ya kibinadamu ambayo hufanya nyara za pound katika eneo lako inamaanisha kwamba kila mnyama wa ushirika anastahili pesa, na huongeza uwezekano wa wizi wa wanyama wa kufugwa katika jamii yako.