Poisonings are a significant threat to a pet who has escaped the protective environment of your home. Although there a few house and yard plants that can poison your pet, the number of dangerous plants and flowers that are found in the wild is much larger.

Nature is not the only threat facing your pet. Garbage cans -- a favorite target of dogs on the loose (cats, too) -- can be packed with cruel surprises, most of the time placed there innocently by the resident homeowner.

Homeowners and business owners also put out ant traps, mole poisons, rat bait and other lethal substances to kill pests. Since dogs and cats are usually inquisitive, and hungry, these rapid-action poisons are always a risk to your pet. Antidotes for a specific poison are usually printed on the label of the package. Because veterinarians are highly skilled professionals, they will likely be aware of additional specialized treatments for your pet.

Pet owners must remember that not all people are animal lovers. Neighbors, maybe even yours, have been known to throw tainted or poisoned meat over the fence to take care of a barking dog or serenading cat once and for all. Ranchers and farmers have also taken the law into their own hands to poison dogs in an effort to protect livestock from wild packs of dogs and the occasional domestic runaway.

Play it safe. Always assume that your pet is not safe once it leaves your pet-proofed home. An identification tag is an investment every pet owner should make. It's a piece of inexpensive insurance that will raise the odds that your escaped pet will be returned safely. Don't forget to include your telephone number at work as well as your home number on the tag so you can be reached easily.