What would you pay for safe return of a lost pet?

[BostonBanker]

I don't know...I mean on one hand I would do whatever I needed to in order to get my dogs back but I can't help but have a "negotiating with terrorists" mentality about it...offering a reward is one thing but $15k seems more like publicizing an incentive to steal dogs...for that person to repeat or for others to copycat...

From the standpoint of "my dogs are both standing behind me right now looking for dinner", I agree completely. If it were Meg or Gusto who had been taken? Screw it, I'll negotiate with anyone to get them back.

[Flyinsbt]

Whatever it took, probably. I doubt I'd offer that much, because I don't think ever increasing amounts of reward are going to bring the dog back. But if I thought it would get my dog back, I might well do it.

If I were to find this person's dog, btw, I wouldn't accept that much reward. I might be willing to accept a reward, but not more than the owner could easily spare.

I did take a $100 reward from someone once, and felt a little bad about it, because I hadn't looked for the owner. I found the dog wandering in the road on the 4th of July, so I caught it and took it to work with me at a veterinary hospital. Settled the dog in, and left a note for one of the receptionists to call animal control to pick it up the next morning. When I got to work the next day, it turned out the owner had called first thing in the morning looking for their dog, picked it up, and left me a $100 check. Since all I did was catch the dog, scan it for a microchip, and put it in a cage with some kibble, I didn't really think I deserved it, but I was pretty poor, so I cashed the check anyway.

Rambling point being, decent people will be more than happy with a relatively small reward, if any. The mercenary types might need a little more, but after a few thousand dollars, you're really going to run into diminishing returns.

[Sit Stay]

I would not be willing to financially ruin myself, my SO, or my family (etc) over a missing dog, but I would offer as large a reward as I could manage. If Quinn was stolen tomorrow I'd probably start at a $500 reward but be totally willing to go beyond. I would probably even go to the point of borrowing money if I didn't have enough cash to front. So in short - I guess I would be willing to take some hits financially, but I really don't think I'd go as far as this lady did.

[Shakou]

Whatever I could reasonably afford at the time, but $500 I think is more then generous. Honestly though, I think any amount of money would be insentive enough for someone that spots your dog to capture it and return it to you.

[JessLough]

It would depend on where I am in life. Basically, whatever I could afford without putting myself, family or other pets in a situation where we aren't getting the basics.

[Shakou]

Here's another fun theoretical twist to this question. What if your dog was found by someone, and they were holding the dog ransom, while threatening harm to him/her and had some kind of proof (a photograph, etc). What would you all do then?

For me... I'd have to seriously mull that one over. Police obviously would be involved, but my goal would be to do whatever I could to ensure they didn't hurt my dog, and that would mean negotiation and taking some financial smacks.

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by Shakou

Here's another fun theoretical twist to this question. What if your dog was found by someone, and they were holding the dog ransom, while threatening harm to him/her and had some kind of proof (a photograph, etc). What would you all do then?

Stalking and physical violence.


I agree with BB, I do agree that offering a reward does start to smack of negotiating with terrorists, but realistically I know if Auggie were missing I would be moving heaven and earth to find him.
Nobody would keep Payton. And nobody could catch Pepper. =P (If Pepper ever got loose it would be a MAJOR problem.)

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by Shakou

Here's another fun theoretical twist to this question. What if your dog was found by someone, and they were holding the dog ransom, while threatening harm to him/her and had some kind of proof (a photograph, etc). What would you all do then?

For me... I'd have to seriously mull that one over. Police obviously would be involved, but my goal would be to do whatever I could to ensure they didn't hurt my dog, and that would mean negotiation and taking some financial smacks.

I'd call the police.

I don't know that there's a difference between a $500 and $5000 reward. 98% of the time, the person is going to return the dog because it's the right thing to do. 1% of the time, the person has already sold the dog or done whatever they need to do with it. In the 1% of cases that a reward is motivation to turn the dog in, I would think $500 would be more than enough for my shelter mutt.

If I thought more money was the only obstacle to bringing my dog home, I'd offer more money...but I don't think the difference in reward amounts is going to change anything.

[joce]

I have money saved so I'm not going into any debt. I'm also not paying someone who stole my dog. I'm probably going to beat the snot out of you if you show up with a smile on your face asking for cash.

And hate to break it to you but police generally don't get involved with this. Pocession is what matters to them. Happened with my husky years ago. Said take them to court. We went and got her. Chaz is big. They didn't stop us.

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by joce

I have money saved so I'm not going into any debt. I'm also not paying someone who stole my dog. I'm probably going to beat the snot out of you if you show up with a smile on your face asking for cash.

And hate to break it to you but police generally don't get involved with this. Pocession is what matters to them. Happened with my husky years ago. Said take them to court. We went and got her. Chaz is big. They didn't stop us.

Someone sent you threatening emails with photo proof they had your dog, and animal control/police/no one did anything about it?