All animal lovers wish their pet would never get lost; however, as a pet ID tag demonstrates, there is a reason why such tags are an absolute necessity. If your dog or cat’s collar carries an ID tag, it can either mean a swift reunion or a tragic separation. Its importance is often underestimated, however; as one study shows, only a third of pet owners utilize ID tags. In this article, we will outline five persuasive arguments as to why every pet ID tag guarantees their safety as well a pet ID tag guarantees your calm.
What Is a Pet ID Tag?
A tag attached to your pet’s collar or harness which bears your contact information is called a pet ID tag or a dog/cat tag. It contains at a minimum your pet’s name and a contact number, although many prefer to add an email or even a physical address as well. Rescue and shelter organizations recommend and sometime mandate that pet companions, especially dogs and cats, to wear ID tags to indicate that they are owned and not estrays. In the UK, it is even a legal requirement that dogs wear ID tags irrespective of microchips. The objective is straightforward; should a pet escape and be found, the pet ID tag allows immediate contact through the provided information to facilitate the return of the pet badge.
1. Immediate Identification & Safe Return if Lost
There is always a possibility of your pets getting lost regardless of how well you look after them. Thunderstorms, fireworks, and even gusts of winds can cause dogs to run away. Cats are not even immune to this; indoor cats escaping is much more common than it tends to be. Research indicates that a staggering 1 in 3 pets will get lost at some point in their lives. Out of this astonishing figure, a staggering 90% of pets without ID will never return home. On a yearly basis, the average pet will be lost 10 million times.
The probability of getting back with your dog or cat is significantly boosted by the pet ID tag. If a person comes across a lost dog or cat, your contact information provided through the pet ID tag allows them to reach you right away. Be it a dog ID tag or a cat ID tag, whoever comes across the pet will be able to tell that the furry friend is a family member and not a stray. They would not be able to idenfity a homeless pet with no identification as a person with a pet tag would say he is not homeless and able to be contacted. The tag and collar makes it evident that the pet is not lost and the finder is able to contact the owner to eliminate saving them from being lost. ID tag is the quickest way to ensure good news after a pet goes missing, and tags should definitely be used.
2. Being Prepared for Unforeseen Circumstances
Life indeed has its uncertainties. Everyday emergencies such as vehicle collisions or house fires, as well as natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes and earthquakes, can strike us without any prior notice. During chaotic situations, even the most well-trained pets can become disoriented or lost. Moreover, pets that are strictly indoor animals are not completely safe. For instance, an emergency might require you to evacuate or a frightened indoor cat might dart out. To best safeguard animals, proactive measures can be taken. An example of a basic step along the lines of proactive measures is ensuring that pets have collars with ID tags at all times.
Loosely speaking, a pet ID tag can be considered a ticket home in case of an emergency. Imagine your dog getting lost in the middle of a storm, or your cat oscillating between the indoors and outdoors in the wake of a recent move; that small piece of metal could convey a lot. It conveys critical information “telling” whoever rescues your pet how to contact you. In case of an emergency, it is highly plausible that phone lines or power are out in the given area. Therefore, including additional contact options like a secondary phone number or even an email could prove to be beneficial. Ultimately, while it is true that unwanted events can be frequent, pet ID tags alleviates the burden of the pet having to memorize a lot of information required to reunite with their owner.
3. Odd People are More Willing to Assist a Animal with Identification
Let us suppose you encounter a pet creature. If it has a collar and a tag, you know for sure it is a pet and it needs some assistance. In all likelihood, you would examine the tag and indeed contact the person who owns the pet. Many other people who also love pets are likely to do the same. If you are to place a collar and tag to your pet, you increase its chances of receiving assistance from benevolent strangers. People are willing to assist unaccompanied dogs or cats who seem to be pets; the tag is a signal saying “I have an owner that is looking for me, kindly assist me to go home.”
In contrast, a pet that has no identification is unlikely to receive assistance. There are people who may not engage with a dog or a cat that looks like it is sick or feral. This is particularly the case with cats. All too often, people see cats that are not wearing collars or tags and assume that they are strays or community cats that have no owners. In these circumstances, the finder tries to search for a possible owner. Instead, they assume that the animal is homeless and will take the animal away or take it to a shelter.
This is the last thing you want happening to your cat or dog! With the use of a dog tag or a cat tag, you can easily identify your pet as belonging to a loving home. As a result, the chances of the person who finds your pet contacting you instead of ignoring them or taking your pet to a shelter dramatically improve.
Moreover, pet tags could prompt the person who finds the pet to offer more care to the pet. This person realizes that a pet owner must have kept the pet well, so he or she is likely to want the pet. On the other hand, animals that lack tags end up in municipal shelters where the prognosis is grim, such as cats that do not have identification and therefore do not have a high chance of being rescued in time. A simple pet tag can ensure your pet is not placed in the shelter and instead can stay in your hands.
4. It Complements the Microchip for Full Protection
Some pet owners ask, “My pet is microchipped – do they really need a tag as well?” The response is a resounding yes. Microchips and ID tags synergize to ensure optimal pet safety. Microchips are a permanent form of identification and work well as a backup, but in the case of a pet running away, a microchip is useless as it is not externally visible. If a person happens to find your dog or cat, they would need to take the pet to a vet or shelter in order to check for a scan and that requires a lot of effort, time, and hope that the person is genuinely interested enough to do that. In contrast, ID tags can be read instantly by anyone, and provide immediate contact information. This is why pet ID tags provide the fastest means of recovering a pet in a rescue scenario.
Shelters and rescues benefit from the use of ID tags as well. Typically, the first thing staff does when a stray animal is brought in is check for an ID tag. If the ID tag is there, the staff can call the owner and possibly rejoin the pet without sheltering it. If there is no tag, the staff might check for a microchip. However, not every clinic or shelter has universal scanners, and in the bustle of routine, a chip can be missed. You cannot assume that everyone who finds your pet will check for microchip scanners. Therefore, the old-fashioned pet ID tag is the best first line of defense. The microchip serves as a dependable backup if the tag or microchip is unreadable. For maximum safety, both should be provided. However, always ensure that the external tag is provided, as that is the fastest most reasonable way of reuniting the pet and the owner.
5. Simple, Cheap, and Personalized for Every Type of Pet
Convenience and cost effectiveness are two factors which make getting a pet ID tag a no brainer. It is a very affordable investment, especially given the huge mental relief it provides. For a couple of dollars, you can easily get a basic engraved pet tag from a local pet shop or from an online store. It takes only a few minutes to customize with your pet’s details, and many shops have kiosks where you can get it engraved on the spot. It is a simple pet safety tool that can prevent untold suffering. Pet ID tags are like very affordable insurance against loss.
In addition to ease of acquiring them, custom pet ID tags now have a plethora of options to suit your needs and personal style. You are not restricted to the plain metal disc (though, they are very useful). For example, if you want to convey more information than a tiny tag can accommodate, there are pet ID tag designs that are like mini driver’s licenses or ID cards.
Unlike a standard tag, these custom pet tags can include your phone numbers, address, a photo of your pet, and even their name and breed, as well as medical information. MyPetDMV and other companies offer novelty pet ID tags styled as licenses for all 50 states, so your Texas dog can flaunt a Lone Star State ID, and your Californian cat can sport a Golden State tag. These tags let you creatively display your pet’s personality while providing vital information.
Looks aren’t the only important factors; functionality matters too. You can select tags that are glow-in-the-dark or reflective for improved visibility. If your dog is sensitive to noise, you can choose a tag that is slide-on and silent. Other types include tags made of durable plastic, waterproof tags, and tags containing QR codes or USB drives. The main idea is you can tailor a pet ID tag to your specifications and preferences. You can add shapes such as a bone for dogs and a fish for cats, or keep it simple and rugged for a pet that enjoys the outdoors. It does not matter what design you go for; the tags will contain the crucial information that will keep your pet safe. It is easy and affordable, so there is no excuse for pet owners not to have custom pet ID tags.
Conclusion
To conclude, a pet ID tag is an effective means of keeping your pet safe. It ensures that anyone attempting to assist in a search for the pet can do so immediately, even in rare and chaotic scenarios. It indicates that the pet is loved and not a stray, so good Samaritans might be inclined to assist. It also serves as a critical supplement to a microchip, bridging the gap of providing visible, superficial identification. In addition, pet ID tags can be stylish and inexpensive, allowing pet owners to provide a means of identification and safety. As they say, “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” Though during a worst case scenario, caring for a dog safety ID tag can help alleviate concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do they need ID tags, if dogs are microchipped?
A: Indeed they do. We recommend PUB tags because they serve the purpose of quick ID access. Losing your dog does not mean it’s the end of the purposes microchips serve. If microchips are the only thing used, they are not efficient. Tags on the other hand are a dog’s best friend, no need to wait till a vet’s office to take the dog. Better yet, dog ID tags are the best options when it comes to rapid identification, increasing the chance of the dog being back home within hours.
Q: What about cats? Should indoor cats wear a pet ID tag?
A: Yes, cat id tags are highly recommended for all cats, even indoor-only. Indoor cats have the potential to escape through a door or an open window. In that situation, the cat will most likely be scared and will be in strange surroundings. Having a pet tag will help neighbors or animal control return the cat to the owner. If a cat has no tag, people may think a wandering cat has no owner and may not assist. In fact, in many areas the law requires cats (as well as dogs) to wear ID tags when outdoors. It’s always better to be safe and have an ID tag on your cat’s breakaway collar.
Q: What should I include in a tag identification an a pet?
A: There are a couple of options for a phone number, but you should include the one you are most likely to answer. You can add a spouse, close friend, or a family member as a secondary number just in case you cannot be reached right away. Many people put the pet’s name, though some prefer not to; it’s optional. In case you have space, including your last name or your address (city and state) is acceptable. An example is: “Bella – Smith, 555-123-4567, Dallas TX.” If there is a possibility to engrave on both sides of the tag, a “Microchipped” for the back can be added or some other medical phrase could be “Needs Meds” if applicable. Most importantly, you need to be easy to find. Pets should have their owner’s number most importantly since it is essential to contact the owner as fast as possible.
Q: What is the best way to select a pet tag for dogs and cats?
A: The best pet tag is one that goes well with your pet’s size and lifestyle so that the tag can be worn comfortably. For dogs, especially larger active breeds, select pet tags for dogs that are made from stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic for durability, and attached using split rings or rivet-on tags for secure attachment. If your dog spends considerable time outdoors, a waterproof tag is best so that engraving does not get scratched off. Prioritize weight and safety for cats. Use a pet tag for cats that is lightweight and small, worn easily, and attach to a breakaway collar (a collar that unclasps to prevent choking). Tags for both dogs and cats should include clear, bold, and easy-to-read text. Creativity with shape and color is encouraged so long as it does not compromise legibility. Tag best suited for your pet is one that it does not mind wearing and displays your contact details clearly.
