08-01-2006
Why Traveling Dogs Need ID Tags
Dog owners have more ways that ever to identify and locate their dogs from engraved ID tags to global positioning tracking systems. With so many different (some very easy) ways to make sure your dog is ID’d, there is no reason not to.
Did you know that last year between 8-12 million animals ended up in shelters. Of the dogs ending up in shelters, less than 18% of dogs were reunited with their owners. The biggest reason being that most dogs that come in don’t have any sort of ID.
Traveling dogs without ID are even less likely to be reunited with their owners. So it’s even more important to make sure your dog has an ID tag before you hit the road.
Microchips are a permanent identification for dogs. Your veterinarian implants a small chip in your dog and you register your dog’s and your information.
One drawback of a microchip is that it doesn’t allow an individual who finds your dog to get directly in touch with you. Therefore experts recommend that you have both an ID tag and a microchip for your dog. So if a person finds your dog they can just look at the ID tag for your number, and if the tag falls off and the dog is taken to the shelter, your dog can be scanned.
Always be sure to have your current information on your dog’s ID tag. When you are traveling it is recommended that you also have a temporary ID tag on your dog’s collar with your cell phone number or the number of the place you are staying. If you have room on your dog’s ID tag it is best if you also can add the dates you will be staying at your destination.
A dog ID solution that is growing in popularity is the call center ID tag. These tags are offered through a number of service providers. When a person finds your dog, they call the 800 number on your dog’s tag. The service provider then calls you. The nice thing about these services is that you can provide temporary information when you are traveling and can even keep several numbers on file.
Perhaps the easiest dog ID tag for the traveling dog is the write on ID tag. These are very inexpensive and work well for dog owners who change their dog’s collars often.
But the options don’t end there. There are personalized dog collars available with your dog’s information sewn right into the collar. There are engraved buckles. On the cute side there are Chloe Dog Licenses, a little state ID tag that looks like a driver’s license. And finally on the fancy side there are even charms that double as ID tags.
And then for dog owners who love to be on the cutting edge of technology, there are global positioning products that allow dog owners to know where their dogs are at all times. Now these aren’t ID products; they are locator products. GlobalPetFinder has a 5 ounce device that attaches to your dog’s collar. If your dog gets loose, you call a number to get the location of your dog. This system isn’t cheap, however. In addition to the device which costs about $350, dog owners must subscribe to the service.
If you are hitting the road with your dog be sure to check out How To Travel With Your Dog, the guide that makes traveling with your dog as easy as 1-2-3.
