The Surprising Power of a Dog Photo in Your Wallet
There are many items that should not be kept in your wallet, such as your Social Security card, spare house key, or even a list of passwords. However, one item that should definitely stay is a photo of a dog. This might seem unusual, but research has shown that including a dog photo in your wallet can significantly increase the chances of it being returned if lost.
In 2014, Professor Richard Wiseman conducted an experiment in Edinburgh where he dropped 240 wallets around the city to see how many people would return them. Each wallet contained different items, and only 15% of the wallets with nothing special inside were returned. However, when a picture of a puppy was included, the return rate jumped to 53%, and the highest return rate—88%—was for wallets containing baby photos. This suggests that images of animals, especially dogs, can have a powerful effect on human behavior.
Psychologists from the University of Lincoln and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità explain this phenomenon through the “baby-schema” effect. This concept refers to features like big eyes, a round head, and soft facial expressions that trigger caregiving instincts in humans. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that viewing cute images online often elicits a warm emotional reaction known as kama muta—a feeling of being moved or touched. This emotional response makes people more likely to act kindly, such as helping someone or returning a lost wallet.
Many people are unsure of what to do when they find a lost wallet, but a dog photo can make them more inclined to take action. It creates an emotional connection that encourages people to do the right thing, even if they don’t fully understand why.
Financial Benefits of a Dog Photo
Beyond the emotional appeal, a dog photo in your wallet can also save you time, hassle, and money. According to the U.S. Department of State, replacing a lost U.S. passport can cost $130, with an additional $60 for expedited service—especially important if you lose it while traveling. There’s also a $21 fee for overnight shipping. These costs add up quickly, especially if you had cash or other valuables in your wallet at the time of loss.
Losing a credit card can also lead to extra expenses, with some banks charging up to $30 to rush a replacement card. Plus, dealing with long phone calls to banks and consulates can be stressful and time-consuming. In contrast, a cheap laminated dog photo can serve as simple, effective insurance against these potential losses.
Additional Travel Hacks
Another useful travel tip is the decoy wallet trick. Travel + Leisure recommends carrying a fake wallet filled with old cards and a small amount of cash. If you’re robbed or pickpocketed, you can hand over the dummy wallet and keep your real one safe. This strategy is particularly useful in European cities, where pickpocketing is common.
Combining the decoy wallet with a dog photo in your real wallet offers dual protection: one to deter thieves and another to encourage honest people to return your belongings. Together, these strategies can provide peace of mind and practical security while traveling.
