For the safety of your pet, it is important for the provide them with some kind of wearable identification. Pet ID tags will help you get your dog or cat back if it is lost.

The ID Tag
The first and most common is the engraved id tag worn on the collar. This is usually metal, but increasingly can be made of plastic or even paper. Metal is the best choice for longevity, plastic is often available in more color choices.

You can choose to put whatever information you want on the tag. At a minimum the tag should include the animal's name and your phone number. The person finding the animal will want to call it by name. A phone number will allow the person to immediately reach you.

If space allows, it is a good idea to provide at least one additional phone, whether a cell phone, a neighbor, relative, or your vet. Having your vet's phone number will be particularly useful if the animal has been hurt.

By providing your address as well as phone, it will let the finder know if the dog or cat lives nearby. Kindly folks may just bring your pet home.


Alternative Pet ID Methods
Instead of the tags that hang from the collar ring, some collars can be imprinted or embroidered with identification details. Or you can choose a flat tag that is threaded directly onto the collar.

The drawback to this kind of tag is that it is not easily seen, and unless the finder looks for it, he may think the animal does not have a tag. The benefit is that it is unlikely to fall off, unless of course the entire collar is lost.

Additional ID for Traveling Pets
Temporary ids are made from paper or cardboard or plastic. Paper tags are laminated or inserted into a plastic holder. These types of id tags are great for when you are traveling with your pet. Attach them to the collar in addition to the regular id. The temporary id should have the phone number or numbers where you can be reached, perhaps with the dates that you will be at these numbers.

Better than a Dog Tag
An even more permanent type of identification is the microchip. This is a relatively new technique that is becoming more and more common. Most animal shelters now automatically chip the animals when they are adopted.

The information embedded in the microchip also resides on the manufacturer's database, and can be accessed from anywhere in the country. The chip can then be traced back to the purchaser of the chip. To have it trace back to you, you will have to sign up for additional service.

One drawback to this kind of id is that it is invisible. The dog or cat must be taken to a veterinarian, an animal shelter or a police station for the chip to be read. To improve the chance that the finder will bring your pet somewhere for this service, the animal can wear a tag stating that it has a microchip.

Not all chips are compatible with all scanners, although improvements have been made in this area.

The firms that provide the chip also provide recovery services. This is separate from the chip registration. An annual fee is charged. You register your pet with your information. If the pet is found and taken to someone who can scan the chip, the animal can be returned to you within twenty-four hours. There are also independent companies that provide lost-pet services, using any microchip brand.