According to the American Humane Society, nearly 10 million pets are lost each year. For pets without tags or microchips, very few of them are returned to their owners, approximately 15 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats. That’s why it is more important than ever to get a pet tag.
When you get any animal, the first thing you need to pick up for them is a pet tag.
Keep reading to learn about why pet ID tags are important, their benefits, and what the options are for pet identification.
Pet Tags
Pet tags or pet ID tags attach to a pet’s collar or harness. These tags identify the pets as belonging to someone and provide relevant information for returning a lost pet to its owner. Most pet tags have the pet’s name, the owner’s name, the owner’s phone number, and sometimes a street address.
There are plenty of benefits of getting a tag for your pet.
The primary benefit is the likelihood that it will help a stray pet be reunited with its owner. Without a collar or some form of identification, people are often hesitant to approach stray animals. The pet ID signals that an animal is safe and belongs to someone that can be contacted via phone or street address.
Some owners are hesitant to get pet tags because they feel their pet won’t get lost.
However, all pets can get lost or may run away. Even with secure fences or gates, accidents, as well as natural disasters can occur and separate a pet from their home. Even indoor pets hold some risk.
Options for Pet Tags
Thankfully, when searching for a pet tag, there are plenty of options for your animal.
Pet tags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as materials. Many pet shops offer custom pet ID tags that allow the owner to create unique tags with special colors or engraving. Some shops even offer a cat or dog license tag.
Licenses are different from pet tags because they generally convey more information about the pet. In addition to owner information, these licenses often include pet information. It may display breed type, size, coloration, date of birth, and other relevant medical information.
Alternatives to a Pet Tag
Some pet owners still don’t like the appearance of pet tags.
However, there are other methods of pet identification. One is a microchip, which is a small chip inserted on the back of a pet’s neck. Companies register these chips and maintain contact information for the owner.
Shelters and veterinarians can scan for these chips when they receive a stray animal.
Microchips are a convenient solution for pets that don’t like wearing collars or harnesses. However, mistakes can occur with chips, too. Chip registrations require frequent updates with current numbers and addresses to stay useful.
Furthermore, not all scanners will pick up all microchips. And, some shelters may not scan for a microchip unless it’s requested. That’s why most shelters still suggest investing in a pet tag.
Perfect Pet Care
There are plenty of things we do to care for our pets. One of the most important is equipping our pets with proper identification. By investing in a pet tag, it ensures that every pet has the best chances of being reunited with their owner in case they get lost or run away.
To learn more about caring for pets and animals, check out more resources on our site!