DOG ID TAGS - Identify and Protect your Dog
with any of these Methods
Tina Spriggs
The American Humane Society estimated that last year alone;
fifteen million dogs entered its shelters. Not even twenty
percent of these dogs’ owners were ever contacted. They had no
identification. It only proves that no matter how much you love
your dog, no matter how much you spend on training and no matter
many measures you take to ensure your pet’s happiness; it could
all go down the drain if your pet is ever recovered away from
home without proper identification.
One of the first forms of identification is a simple collar tag
that clearly marks that he has been vaccinated against rabies.
This tag, often linked to a serial number and a veterinary
clinic, may link the serial number to the owner. Also, it will
show that someone has taken care of the animal and that it is not
just a “stray”.
Your animal should wear another tag that (at a minimum) clearly
states the name, family name, address and phone number of the
owner. If there is room, the tag should also contain the name and
phone number of your veterinary clinic, which will also try
contacting you if your dog is in custody. These tags should be
replaced every year to ensure readability from ware.
To find some great ID tags for your dog, visit our site here:
http://www.dog-gifts-and-toys-for-dog-lovers.com/dog-gift-tags.html
Another option is to get your dog a tattoo. Not that he will have
to gear-up in leather, because you can have the tattoo put in its
usual location—under an earflap or underneath one of its legs.
The tattoo will cause your dog some initial discomfort, but it’s
for his safety. Shelters and other organizations know that many
pets are tattooed with a serial number that will lead to the
owner’s identification. You can register the pet’s number to the
American Kennel Club if your dog is a purebred. They will work on
your behalf to locate the animal if it’s ever lost.
One other option, growing in popularity, is a microchip (about
the size of a grain of rice) injected underneath the pooches’
first few layers of skin. An infrared computer that will give any
pertinent information can then scan this microchip. It may reveal
a serial number, like the tattoo, or even give the identity of
the dog and its owner that any shelter, vet or humane society can
use to contact you.
When the chip is inserted, it won’t hurt your pet, such as a
tattoo might. It’s injected with a hypodermic needle and ready
for immediate use. Once underneath the skin, the information
stored on the tag can be updated and changed depending on your
pet’s medical history and condition.
When it comes to your puppy or dog, two types of identification
should be enough. However, the more the better. If a regular
person picks up your dog, he or she will at least be able to read
the tag and hopefully call you. If the dog’s collar is missing,
maybe that person won’t know to look for a tattoo, but a vet or
shelter will for sure. Again, this is just one of many things you
can do to ensure a safe and happy life for your pet—especially so
that your pet remains with you! Puppies and dogs are lost
everyday.
There’s a high chance that yours will eventually wonder off too.
So, instead of fretting, pay a little bit of money for peace of
mind knowing that your dog will be prepared and identifiable in a
big, and perhaps now, not so scary world!
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in
canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about
dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at Dog
Gifts and Toys for Dog Lovers.
Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
http://www.dog-gifts-and-toys-for-dog-lovers.com/
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