While most people are aware of the significance of pet ID tags, they are unaware of the details.
Most people concur that pet ID tags are crucial for the safety of their animal, but an ASPCA study found that only about a third of pet owners actually attach pet ID tags to their four-legged friends. We believe that while the majority of people are aware of the significance of pet ID tags, they are unaware of the details.
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It happens every day. Dogs disappear, slip their leashes, or elude capture in the yard. Although there are steps you can take to locate your lost dog, being a responsible dog owner also means making sure your dog can be recognized and brought back to you if you ever become estranged. In fact, it’s crucial that you can be reached as quickly as possible by the person who finds your lost dog. The more difficult it is for people to recognize you and your dog, the less likely it is that it will return home. Although a dog ID tag is necessary, it is insufficient on its own. Continue reading to learn more about the various methods for identifying your dog, how they operate, and how much they cost.
A collar and ID tag are your dog’s first line of defense against being lost, despite their low tech nature. They serve as a universal representation of your dog having a family and home. The individual who finds your dog might not even be aware that other forms of identification, such as dog microchips or tattoos, exist. Therefore, whenever it’s safe to do so, your dog should always wear an ID collar.
Choose your information wisely because there are typically only 2-4 lines of text space on an ID tag. For instance, it might be more crucial to include that information than your dog’s name if your dog has a serious medical condition. Some key items to consider including are:
ID tags are relatively inexpensive. Including engraving, a dog tag costs less than $10. Of course, there are fancier versions available. A custom collar with your phone number or other details embroidered into the fabric is an additional choice.
A dog tag’s advantage is that it can be read without the use of special tools. But technology hasn’t ignored the dog market. You can buy a USB dog tag for a few dollars more than a standard ID tag. There are also tags with QR codes. Someone who scans the code with their phone is directed to a website with a profile that includes details about your dog. Such a service will likely require a monthly subscription fee.
Finally, there are GPS smart collars that let you use an app on your phone to track your dog’s location. They are less than $150, but the monthly service plan comes at an extra cost. However, the collar cannot be read or used by others, and the battery life is a concern.
Collars and tags may come off, leaving your dog without identification. Because of this, your dog needs permanent backup identification. The cost of a microchip, which includes the one-time registration fee, is about $50. Microchips, despite sounding like they belong in a science fiction film, are trustworthy and safe. They are inserted between your dog’s shoulder blades and are quite small, about the size of a grain of rice. Similar to receiving a vaccine injection, the procedure is quick and virtually painless. As soon as the chip is implanted, your dog will have a permanent, recognized method of identification.
But neither you nor your dog’s information is on the microchip. It only has a special ID number that you must associate with your data. As a result, you must register the number with a pet registration service and give them all of your contact information (see more below).
You can’t track your dog using the microchip. It isn’t a GPS device. However, the ID number will display whenever your pet is scanned with a handheld microchip scanner, such as at the veterinarian or animal shelter. The person scanning your dog can then use the associated pet registration service to look up the number. The scanner doesn’t hurt your dog. Your dog won’t even notice as it simply reads the microchip.
A tattoo, which is typically placed on the inner thigh, belly, or under the ear of your dog, is another way to identify it permanently. A code of numbers and letters is inked on the body, and that code is registered with a pet registration service. The cost of applying the tattoo, plus the registration fee, is typically under $100. The tattoo can be read without the use of specialized equipment, unlike a microchip. It’s there for anybody to see. At least if they know to look for one.
The tattoo must be applied by a veterinarian or other expert, and your dog might need to be sedated. Additionally, the tattoo may deteriorate or grow furry growth over time. Additionally, it might be more challenging to make sure your dog-specific tattoo code is used. This is not a globally traceable form of identification, such as a microchip. Finally, thieves can easily alter the tattoo. Microchips are frequently regarded as a better alternative to tattoos due to their simplicity and safety.
In order to use tattoos or microchips, your pet must be registered with a pet registration service like AKC Reunite. You must update the registry with any changes to your address or phone number because they maintain a database of your information. (Your pet doesn’t need a new microchip or tattoo. ) Your contact information will appear when your pet’s ID number is entered into the database, enabling you to retrieve your pet.
Under your dog’s AKC registration number, AKC Reunite links all of your dog’s identification details, such as tattoo codes or microchip numbers. Additionally, they give you a personalized collar tag with your dog’s registration number and their toll-free pet recovery service number printed on it. The service will call, email, and text you right away when someone calls the number to report finding your dog. The service is free each year, and it costs just $17. 50 it provides lifetime protection.
This single ISO+ pet microchip includes a collar tag and is delivered in a ready-to-use, pre-sterilized syringe. Only follow the instructions and use the equipment as intended. A veterinarian should administer the microchip or be directly in charge of doing so, in accordance with any state and local laws and ordinances governing microchips and their implantation.
Rare side effects after microchip implantation, such as migration, inflammation, infection, abscess formation, and tumor formation, have been reported. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) asserts, however, and American Humane concurs: “…the risk that your animal will develop cancer due to its microchip is very, very low and is far outweighed by the improved likelihood that you will get your animal back if it becomes lost.” ”.
American Humane urges all pet owners to microchip their animals as an additional security measure. Your pet will always have a permanent identification system thanks to microchipping. Every animal that enters a shelter in the nation is routinely checked for the presence of a microchip. Most veterinary clinics also have microchip scanners.
Each microchip has a distinct ID number that can be read by a microchip scanner and compared to owner data in a large database to explain how microchips function. A microchip can only successfully reunite a lost pet with his owner if the owner’s contact information is accurate in the microchip database. In order to avoid this, it is essential that you immediately register your pet’s microchip with the relevant database. You should also promptly update your contact information whenever you move or get a new phone number.
How Often Should I Change My Pet’s Tags?Each time that your pet is revaccinated, make sure that you affix the new tag to his collar. It’s also important to update tags whenever you move or change your phone number. You should also check your pet’s tags every couple of months for legibility. “Most ID tags are not engraved very deeply, and the information does tend to wear off,” says Smith. “Make sure they’re still easily readable, and replace them if they’ve become worn or scratched.” Smith also recommends keeping one or two spare sets of tags around the house. “Dogs lose tags more often than you think,” she says. “One of my dogs lost not one, not two, but three complete sets of tags — ID, chip registry and rabies — in the span of a couple years.”
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FAQ
Are dog tags necessary?
Keep in mind that, when using any of these techniques, information must always be kept current. All dogs and cats must have collars with ID tags, rabies vaccination tags, and (if necessary) city or county licenses. The pet’s name, owner’s name, address, daytime and evening phone numbers, and other information should be included on the ID tag.
What happens if your dog doesn’t have tags?
Having a license makes it easier to keep track of ownership and vaccination records, making it easier to find lost dogs. The tag is proof your dog’s licensed. If your dog doesn’t have a license or isn’t wearing his identification tag, you could face fines and even jail time. No one wants that to happen!.
Should you put your dog’s name on ID tag?
Name of Your Dog Although it’s not something you want to consider, sometimes pets are stolen. If this worries you, remove the name from the dog tag. As a result, it is more challenging for a potential thief to claim the animal as his own. In general, adding the name doesn’t help much when trying to find a lost dog.
What should be on an ID tag dog?
Your pet’s name, your phone number, and the city where you reside should all appear on their identification tags. The best way to make sure you can be reached wherever you are is to put your cell phone number on a tag, advises Dr Benson.