Things You'll Need:
- Dog Collars
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Tags
- AVID Microchips
-
Step 1
Think about why you are buying an ID tag for your dog. Will it be decorative? For identification? Or reflective to protect your pet from cars at night?
-
Step 2
Know that you can get a free simple pet ID tag from most pet stores upon request.
-
Step 3
Understand that the tags your vet provides you with are not identification should your pet get lost. These tags only indicate that your dog has received appropriate shots and is properly registered. There is no information about you or your vet on the tag should your dog get lost.
-
Step 4
Consider having your vet implant the AVID microchip in your dog. This is a small microchip that is inserted with a hypodermic needle into your dog's neck. It contains information about how to contact you and your vet should the dog get lost. It is read with a scanner. Discuss this option with your vet.
-
Step 5
Know that there are many dog ID tags available in many designs. Some of the most popular are in the shape of doghouses, bones, hydrants and paws.
-
Step 6
Choose a tag that is in a color you like. Gold, silver and green are common colors.
-
Step 7
Have your dog's name, your name, address and phone number put on the tag. Even if you have the AVID microchip, a tag is the fastest type of identification available.
-
Step 8
Understand that if your dog has a medical condition like diabetes, you will need to include information about this on the tag as well as your vet's name and number.
-
Step 9
Consider reflective tags, which reflect the light from headlights or flashlights. This will make your dog visible to cars and visible should you have to search for the dog at night.
-
Step 10
Realize that you can also purchase dog tags that are permanently bolted to a collar.
-
Step 11
Have a jeweler make a tag for you if you are looking for something made of real gold or containing gems.
-
Step 12
Make sure the tag you select comes with a hook for hanging it.
Comments
Woodlandtrails said
on 3/7/2008 GOOGLE (type in subject line the words): "The microchip wars and how they affect your pets’ safety (Part 2: Microchip technology) “ to read a very interesting article and blog. This is just one blog out there concerning this topic which is a tail (pun intended) of U.S. corporate greed of Avid and Home Again and is one of the reasons the U.S. is falling out of sync with the rest of the world and technology at our pets expense.
Woodlandtrails said
on 3/7/2008 AVID charges $5.00 (it goes up periodically) to change an address or phone number. Get a Home Again chip as they don't charge to update your dog/cat/pet's owner personal information.
Woodlandtrails said
on 3/7/2008 AVID Charges $5.00 to change and address or phone number when you move, etc. Home Again does not charge to change owner information. I have 2 pets with Home Again and 3 with AVID. I just paid AVID to change the 3 pets information.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Tags for your dog are important. Your pet can't ask for help. You will need two tags. I like using the plastic tags because they do not make as much noise as the aluminum tags (also, white furred animals get stained from the aluminum tags). Both tags should have the front and the back engraved. The mail order tagmakers will do this for an additional dollar.
Tag One: Your dogs name, your name and phone number (with area code and the contact information you want to share). Hopefully it says your pet is micro-chipped too.
Tag Two: Veterinarian contact information, and an emergency phone number.
If your pet is likely to roam, put your phone number on top of the collar in bold numbers. This will aid the finder in calling you. They may not get close enough to read the information provided on the tags.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 The AVID ID chip is a life saver. Sometimes when someone finds a dog, even with a collar and ID tags on it, they're likely to keep it if it has a good temperament, or is a purebred. When the collar is removed, the AVID chip is the only way some dogs can be identified. Vets, shelters, and pounds are all using a scanner when a new client, or a new dog enters their facilities, to see if it had an owner already. People are sometimes blinded by greed, and will lie about having just bought the dog, or always having it, but the AVID chip is a guaranteed winner for getting your dog back. Talk to your dog's vet about it. Mine both have a chip, and I'm thankful for it.