Almost one in three pet owners has lost their pet on holiday

Berlin/Paris, 22 July 2025. What often gets lost on holiday? Sunhat, charger… and sadly, sometimes the pet. A recent Weenect* survey reveals that almost one in three owners (28%) have experienced their pet running away while on holiday – often right before their eyes. Surprisingly, more than half of these cases (55%) happened while the pet was with its owners, not with relatives or at a boarding facility.

New environment – new behaviour

The survey confirms what many underestimate: one in two pets (52%) behaves differently on holiday compared to at home. Some become more curious, others more fearful or restless – increasing the risk of escape or panic.

“For many, holidays mean switching off, relaxing, not paying too much attention. But that can be dangerous for pets,” says Adrien Harmel, CMO of Weenect. “New places, unfamiliar smells, strangers – all this throws animals off balance. One moment of inattention is enough.”

To learn more, here is the detailed study: https://www.weenect.com/us/en/lab/pet-losses-vacation/

Daytime rather than night – a risk often underestimated

Many believe pets go missing mostly at night. Yet the survey shows most losses occur in the afternoon (35.5%), followed by the morning (27.4%) and evening (21.8%). Only 3% happen at night. The reason: during the day, people and pets are out – walking, on trips or travelling.

Letting go – and the rude awakening

Only one in three respondents (31%) always keeps their pet on a lead with a harness or in a carrier. About a quarter (25%) let them roam free – which, in unfamiliar surroundings, can quickly be risky. If a pet does get lost, more than two-thirds (67%) are found within a day, but one in five (20%) remain missing for several days. Nearly one in ten (12%) owners waited weeks for their pet’s return.

Summer is search season

TASSO, Europe’s largest pet register, confirms far more pets go missing during the summer holidays than the rest of the year.
Examples: Paula escaped through a tent vent the first night and was missing for three days. Luna, in Croatia, ran off after a fright – sparking a 48-hour search. Paddy, after a car accident in France, wasn’t found for eight months.
“These examples show the importance of microchipping and registering pets. Combined with a GPS tracker, owners are on the safe side,” explains Sonja Slezacek from TASSO.

An unforgettable experience

Three in four owners (74%) chose or considered a GPS tracker after a loss. Instant location tracking means a pet can be found quickly even in unknown areas. “Most losses happen in seemingly safe moments,” notes Harmel.

5 tips for a safe holiday with dogs and cats

Recommended by Déborah Petraitis, Brand Manager at Weenect

1. New environment? Arrive first – then let go carefully
   Dogs love adventure but should first stay on a lead in unfamiliar places. After an adjustment period in a safe setting, free roaming is fine.
   For cats, be even more cautious: outdoor access is only for true outdoor cats with a strong bond to their humans and gradual acclimatisation.
   Leash walks? Great, but only if the cat is trained – otherwise stressful.
   Tip: Arrive calmly together before granting more freedom.
2. Safety check – from fence to window
   What seems safe to humans can be an escape route for pets: loose fence, open gate, tilted window, unsecured balcony.
   Tip: Check indoors too, especially for cats who exploit any gap.
3. Don’t underestimate prey or flight instinct
   A strange smell, noise or wild animal – and pets can bolt.
   Tip: Always secure pets in unfamiliar areas with a lead, harness or carrier.
4. Microchip, register, keep data updated
   Only chipped and registered pets can be quickly found.
   Tip: Check before travelling that details, especially phone number, are correct.
5. GPS tracker – the safety net on the go
   Lets you track your pet anywhere, even in unknown places. Safety zones trigger alerts if the pet leaves the set area.
   Tip: On holiday, it helps react before a short outing becomes a disappearance.

About Weenect

Weenect was founded in January 2012 by Adrien Harmel, Bénédicte de Villemeur-Vieille and Ferdinand Rousseau. It is a French company specialising in GPS trackers for dogs and cats. The trackers offer real-time second-by-second tracking, history analysis, activity tracking and more. Over 2,000 partner shops and platforms sell the products. Today, more than 250,000 pet owners already use Weenect trackers.