National Pet ID week starts April 17th. A lost pet is every owner’s worst nightmare. This designated week every year gives pet owners a gentle reminder to make sure their pet has identification. Each year, a staggering 10 million pets get lost. Many of these pets end up in the shelter. Only 15% of dogs are reunited with their owners. As a responsible dog lover, what can you do to make sure your dog is not a statistic?
Get The Chip
Technology for finding our lost pets has come far in the last 30 years. In 1989, the very first microchip was implanted on a canine. This breakthrough method allows pet owners to be contacted in the event their pet is lost. Because 1 in 3 pets will be lost in their lifetime, micro-chipping is essential. As a result, a collar is simply not enough.
Microchips, because they’re inserted into a dog’s skin, are permanent. They provide a way for you to be contacted, by almost any veterinarian or shelter, if your pup is brought in. According to the AKC, “Pets with microchips are up to 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners.”
It’s never too late to get your dog micro-chipped. Many shelters have low cost micro-chips and your local veterinarian can also do the chipping. The chip itself is no larger than a grain of rice. It is implanted under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. If your pet gets lost, the chip can be scanned at a shelter or vet’s office and your contact information retrieved. Then, a happy reunion will be on its’ way.
Wear The Collar
How many times have you seen the post: “found dog, no collar.” Wearing a collar with proper identification is the easiest and best way to reunite you and your pet. Certainly, no one plans for their pet to escape, so making sure they always have their collar with ID tag on will give you more peace of mind.
Obviously, the most important information you can have on any i.d. tag is your current phone number. This will ensure a quick return to home sweet home. An address can also be very useful especially if your pet hasn’t crossed county lines in search of “greener grass.” Another key point, is to include your pet’s name to help a pet found by strangers to feel more at ease.
Most important, do an identification tag check from time to time. Without a doubt, make sure the tag information is still legible. Worn, damaged, or otherwise unreadable tags don’t help anyone.
It’s All About The Bling
The world of creativity and humor has caught up to boring old dog tags. You will find great phrases and sayings that will make your dog tag a source of laughter. Check out even more funny tags!
National Pet ID week was created for the human at the other end of the leash. It’s your job as a responsible dog dad or dog mom to make sure your dog is safe and has all the tools to get safely home!
