No More Tears Animal Rescue has warned that pets are especially vulnerable to going missing when household routines change, a pattern the organisation says plays out throughout the year and not only during the festive season.

Volunteer Clarisse Kruger said the rescue regularly experiences a spike in missing pet reports during periods of increased noise, visitors and activity, when animals are more likely to panic or slip through open gates.

“While many people associate this problem with December, the reality is that the same risks exist any time routines change,” Kruger said.

“Fireworks, unfamiliar visitors, and gates being left open all create opportunities for pets to escape.”

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According to the organisation, reports of missing pets often rise from mid-November, a trend Kruger said highlights how quickly animals are affected by disruption and noise. During these periods, the rescue is frequently overwhelmed by calls from distressed owners searching for their pets.

Kruger added that rescue teams also see an increase in stray animals and pets that are deliberately abandoned, placing significant emotional strain on both animals and volunteers.

“Sadly, times of increased activity also bring an increase in people wanting to get rid of their pets. It takes a heavy toll on the animals, but also on the rescuers who are trying to help them,” she said.

Several factors contribute to pets going missing, including fireworks, unfamiliar supervision, open gates, and pets being handled by people who do not understand their behaviour. In panic, animals often attempt to escape, sometimes injuring themselves in the process.

“These situations can result in broken teeth from chewing through gates, injuries from fencing, or trauma that lasts long after the incident,” Kruger explained. “Many pets run purely out of fear, looking for somewhere safe.”

She warned that once a pet is lost, it faces danger.

“Many are hit by cars while running in fear. Others are injured by wires, fences or hazardous objects. Some are attacked by other animals, and some simply disappear, never to be found again,” she said. “Even those that survive often carry emotional trauma long after they are reunited with their families, if they are reunited at all.”

The increased intake of lost and abandoned animals places a significant strain on the organisation, with veterinary costs rising while donations often slow down. Kennels fill quickly, and volunteers are left exhausted after extended periods of emergency care.

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“One of the hardest realities is finding an animal with no microchip, no collar and no way to trace its family,” Kruger said. “Every delay lowers the chance of reunion, and that burden weighs heavily on us.”

To reduce the risk of pets going missing, Kruger urged owners to plan whenever fireworks or busy gatherings are expected. This includes keeping pets indoors, double-checking gates and fencing, and ensuring animals are properly supervised.

She also stressed the importance of microchipping, noting that identification remains one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their owners.

The organisation is currently caring for an unclaimed dog found in Reiger Street, Culemborg Park. Kruger said the dog is in good condition and appears well cared for, yet his owners have not come forward.

“We continue to hope that he will be identified and returned safely to his family,” she said.