WHAT TO PUT ON A DOG TAG
Plenty of canines consider themselves to be masters of escape, and they will try to sneak out at the first available chance. The good news is that if your dog ever gets lost and has to face the world on its own, there is some truly cutting-edge tech available to assist it find its way back home.
A dog tag on your pet’s collar is a simple and effective way to guarantee you’ll be reunited with your pooch, however other measures, including as microchipping and GPS trackers, and social media posts asking for the public’s help in finding your lost dog are also valuable.
So, why is it crucial to wear a dog tag, and what information should be included on it? Check out the rest to learn more.
WHY ARE DOG TAGS IMPORTANT?
Our dogs are the same as any other: they’re naturally inquisitive, adventurous, and curious, but sometimes they let their natural inclinations get the best of them when they decide to go for a walk on their own. Our canine companions are intelligent, but not quite so savvy that they can return home without us.
Dog tags are an easy, inexpensive, and efficient way to ensure your lost pet is returned to you quickly.
Having your dog wear an identification tag is not just good practise, but also the law in the United Kingdom. All dogs out in public must have a collar with their owner’s name and address clearly visible at all times, per The Control of Dogs Order 1992.
Information Requirements for a Dog Tag
Should a dog tag include this information?
Otherwise, you might have to pay a high fee and spend a lot of time looking for your missing dog. It’s true that working dogs like police dogs, guiding dogs, and herding dogs are free from this rule, but only when they’re on the clock.
A microchip, an electronic implant that the vet may scan to read your dog’s identification information, is required by law for all dogs older than 8 weeks. Though convenient and permanent, this method requires whoever finds your dog to take it to the clinic in order to identify the owner. It’s another day without your puppy because of this.
If someone finds your dog and scans its microchip, they’ll be able to get in touch with you right away and bring your dog home safely. Easy!
Having a collar and identification tag on your dog makes him or her more approachable to strangers who may come across him or her while out and about. The likelihood that someone may approach your dog and take action as a result of this is greatly increased.
WHAT SHOULD I PUT ON MY DOG’S TAG?
Your home isn’t complete until your furry family member is there to greet you every day, so you should take every safety measure to prevent their disappearance.
YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
Name and address are the two most important pieces of information that must be included on your dog’s tag.
PHONE NUMBER
We recommend putting a phone number on your dog’s tag even though it’s not required by law. A phone call is the quickest way for the person who finds your dog to get in touch with you, and if you get the call before your dog is brought to you, it will give you immediate peace of mind that your dog is safe.
If you work in an environment where you aren’t always able to answer your phone, it’s a good idea to add two distinct phone numbers in case one of them is busy when the call comes in.
Details for a pet’s identification tag
Details for a pet’s identification tag
An vital but sometimes overlooked piece of paperwork is updating your dog’s identification tag whenever there is a change in your personal information, such as a new address or phone number.
CONSIDER INCLUDING…
‘I’M MICROCHIPPED’
To our knowledge, microchipping is mandatory in the state of California for all puppies above the age of 8 weeks. If the person who finds your dog knows they are microchipped, they may be more inclined to take them to the vet if they don’t get through to you or if your contact information is out of date, even if your phone number is the quickest way for them to get in touch with you.
If you have a dog, it is your responsibility to ensure that the information on their microchip and tag are always up to date.
Unfortunately, dog theft is a regular problem; but, if you publicise the fact that your dog is microchipped, it may prevent potential thieves.
‘I’M SPAYED/NEUTERED’
This is another deterrent punishment in case someone tries to steal your dog. Because thieves often take animals from their owners to breed them for profit, it’s a good idea to put a disclaimer on your dog’s tag saying that he can’t have offspring.
HEALTH ISSUES
Just by mentioning that your dog is “on medication” or that they have a preexisting health condition, you’ve increased the level of urgency. If the person who finds your dog doesn’t reach you right away, they may take him or her to the vet to avoid any potential health problems.
WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR DOG’S TAG
YOUR DOG’S NAME
A small bone-shaped dog tag with your dog’s name engraved on it may seem like the most apparent and adorable thing to do when figuring out your dog’s tag, but we’d advise against it.
It’s common knowledge that dogs are frequently stolen; if a burglar knows your pet’s name, they may be able to win it over. The dog’s familiarity with its owner’s name also aids the thief if he or she decides to try selling the stolen pet to someone who doesn’t know any better.
Ideas for a dog tag’s text
A dog tag’s appropriate content
If you locate a lost dog and you want to assist the dog feel more secure until its owner can pick it up, learning the dog’s name is a great first step. However, if your dog ever gets into the wrong hands, having their name on it would be a huge mistake.
As an extra dose of adorableness, consider using your dog’s initials instead of a generic name on the tag.
HOW CAN I PREVENT MY DOG FROM GOING MISSING?
If you have a dog that likes to dig, fencing off your garden is an absolute must to ensure your pet’s safety. If your dog is like the ones that just keep digging until they find a way beneath the fence, you’ll need to put in extra effort to keep your property safe.
Keep your dog on a leash until it is safe to do so and practise your recall command so that he or she will come when called. Never leave your dog tied up in public while you run inside the store; nowadays, dog theft is unfortunately widespread across the UK.
If their dog is notorious for getting away, their owners may take the extra precaution of affixing a GPS tracker to their pet’s collar.
RECAP
As the loss of a dog is every owner’s biggest fear, it’s crucial to take every precaution to ensure your dog stays safe.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to keep your dog safe by following these guidelines, and if, by some miracle, your dog decides to go on a walk by themselves, the information on their ID tag will be sufficient to help you find him or her and bring him or her home safely.