- Having a dog disappear is one of the most traumatic events an owner can face. Lost dogs can become frightened and confused and wander long distances. Depending on how well a dog knows its neighborhood, finding its way home can be challenging. On his own he faces being hit by a car, getting into dangerous substances like antifreeze, or being taken in and kept by a stranger.
- Considering the hazards lost pets face, dog tags are an effective way of ensuring your dog is returned to you. If your dog is found, the rescuer could be anyone from a stranger to an animal control officer. It is difficult to locate the owner of a dog in a shelter without identification. A tag tells everyone your dog is a pet rather than a stray and enables the finder to contact you promptly.
- Dog ID tags come in various styles, shapes, colors, and sizes. So reasonably priced anyone can afford them, they are usually made of plastic, stainless steel, or other metal. The most popular shapes include a heart, bone, fire hydrant, doghouse, basket, over, or round and are available by breed type. Ranging from practical to elegant, they can be reflective, glow in the dark, or 24 karat gold.
- Easy to obtain, dog ID tags are sold on the Internet, in pet stores, and at some veterinarians' offices. Most attach to the collar with a ring or an S hook. If yours has an S hook, secure the opening by tightening it with pliers. Some tags, made of fabric or metal with holes in them, can be sewn onto the collar so they are less likely to fall off.
- An effective alternative to an ID tag is the microchip, surgically implanted under a dog's skin and readable in many shelters and vets' offices. If you choose the ID tag, choose one that is durable so it is more likely to stay on the collar without becoming scratched or unreadable. The risks lost dogs face should be enough to make owners take action before an accident happens.
