Importance of Identifying Your Dog with a Microchip.
You’ve latched the gate, fastened the collar, and put your feet up—but your furry friend will always have a nose for trouble. A microchip could help your reunion happen sooner if the unthinkable happens and your pet goes missing.
It happens every day, where Dogs escape from the yard, slip their leash, or in some way go missing. You can take steps to find your lost dog, but part of being a responsible dog owner should ensure your dog can be found and returned to you. The person who finds your stray dog must get in touch with you as quickly as possible. The harder it is for people to identify you and your dog, the less likely your dog will make it home. A dog ID tag is essential, but it’s not enough. Read on for more information about the various ways of identifying your dog, how they work, and what they cost.
Collars and ID Tags
They might be low-tech, but a collar and ID tag is your first line of defense against losing your dog. They are the universal symbol that your dog has a home and family. The person who finds your dog might not even be aware of the other forms of ID, like microchips for dogs or tattoos. Therefore, your dog should always wear a collar with ID whenever it’s safe.
Space on an ID tag is usually limited to 2-4 lines of text, so choose your information carefully. For example, if your dog has a severe health condition, that might be more important to include than your dog’s name. Some essential items to consider are:
- Your dog’s name.
- Your phone number(s) with area code.
- Your address.
- Medical and behavioural issues.
- Alternative phone numbers such as your veterinarian or pet sitter.
ID tags are relatively inexpensive. Including engraving, you can get a dog tag for under $10. Of course, there are fancier versions available. Another option is a personalized collar with your phone number or other information embroidered into the fabric.
High Tech ID Tags
The benefit of a dog tag can be viewed without needing special equipment. But technology hasn’t ignored the dog market. You can purchase a USB dog tag for a few more than a regular ID tag. There are also tags with QR codes. When somebody reads the code with their phone, they can go to a website with a profile containing their dog’s information. Such a service will likely require a monthly subscription fee.
Microchips
Collars can fall off, and tags can break, leaving your dog without an ID. That’s why your dog should have permanent backup identification as well. A microchip is a fantastic option. Although they sound like something from a science fiction movie, microchips are safe and reliable. They are small, about the size of a grain of rice, and placed between your dog’s shoulder blades. The procedure is much like a vaccine injection – quick and almost painless. Once the chip is in place, your dog has a lifelong and internationally recognized identification method.
However, the microchip doesn’t contain any information about you or your dog. It simply has a unique ID number that you have to link to your information. That means you need to register the number with a pet registration service (see more below) and provide them with all your contact details.
You can’t track your dog using the microchip. It isn’t a GPS device. But the ID number will come up whenever your pet is id with a microchip scanner, such as at the vet or animal shelter. Then the person watching your dog can look up the number in the associated pet registration service. The scanner doesn’t hurt your dog. It simply reads the microchip, and your dog won’t even notice.
