Tuggeranong is a hot spot for missing pets, RSPCA figures show.
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The suburbs where the most pets went missing in the ACT in the past year were Calwell with 51, Wanniassa 52, Gordon 70, and Kambah 130. Nearby suburbs fared little better.
By contrast, suburbs in Belconnen, and south and north Canberra averaged a half to a quarter the number of missing animals.
RSPCA ACT chief executive Michael Linke said there was no obvious reason why more pets would go missing from Tuggeranong than other areas of the ACT. ''There could be issues with fencing, or care ... Tuggeranong is becoming one of the older areas of Canberra,'' he said.
The possibility that pets were being stolen also had to be considered.
Paula and Drew Lynch of Isabella Plains have lost two Burmese cats in as many years, much to the distress of their children Georgia, 5 and Will, 8.
Natasha Colla's three-year-old terrier, Ollie, disappeared from her Theodore home in August.
Ollie has not been returned despite Ms Colla taking all the correct precautions.
''Ollie was microchipped and registered, we notified the RSPCA and the pound ... We put up posters and flyers and we believe he was sighted the day after he went missing, but since then, nothing,'' she said.
Ms Colla said Ollie lived in a secure back yard and had never previously escaped.
The Mugga Way pound announced earlier this month that it had successfully found homes for 1397 animals in the last year.
Domestic Animal Services registrar Peter Dinan said his organisation could not explain why Tuggeranong would be a hotspot for pet loss.
Mr Dinan suggested a range of measures people could employ to make sure their pets, especially dogs, stayed put.
''Fence integrity is the main thing ... but some breeds are predisposed to escaping if not treated properly,'' he said.
Theft of a pet animal is a crime in the ACT and anyone with any information regarding stolen animals is urged to called Crimestoppers on 1800333000.
ACT suburbs with the highest number of missing pets:
Kambah 130
Gordon 70
Wanniassa 52
Calwell 51
Ngunnawal 46
Macgregor 40
Chisholm 41
Dunlop 38
Narrabundah 38
Condor 37
Figures are for pets reported missing October 2010 to October 2011. Supplied by RSPCA ACT.