This week is National Pet ID week. Every year, during the month of April, pet care givers set aside this week to focus on the importance of having the proper identification on your pet. As people in the pet care business, all of us here at Cascade Kennels, think of pets like family; most likely you do too. As people who love pets and work with them on a daily basis, we believe it is so very important that your pet always wear an ID tag. Why? Because should your pet ever wander away from your home or yard, their ID tag is the means by which they will be found. It’s that simple. Your pet’s ID tag is the way they will be identified and returned to you should they ever get lost. We could stop right there, but we won’t; there’s more to discuss about this very important pet topic, so let’s dive in.
We are often surprised at the number of pets we see without an ID tag and the reasons why they don’t have them. Here are just a few reasons we’ve heard (and our response) as to why pets are without a tag.
- They are an indoor pet and they don’t tend to go outside. To that we say: Even indoor pets need a tag because things happen; doors are left open, gates are left ajar and pets get out.
- We lost their tag and just haven’t gotten another one. To that we say: If your wallet got lost what would you do? That always gets them thinking because of course if we lose our wallet we take immediate action; Why? Because our wallets hold our identification, not to mention our money.
- I don’t know where to get a tag. To that we say: Here are some resources!
Amazon Pet ID Tags is one quick and easy option plus any neighborhood pet supply store will likely have tags you can purchase and have engraved right there on the spot. Also, you can always check with your Vet to see if they have tags available.
WHAT INFO SHOULD I PUT ON MY PET’S TAG?
What information is best to put on your pet’s tag? Now this is a good question. Definitely your Cell number. Even if you still have a landline, it’s best to put your Cell number on your pet’s tag because you always have your cell phone with you. Some people will put their address if there is room on the tag, however, many people are not comfortable with sharing that much information. Also, many people prefer to NOT put their pet’s name on the tag because, sadly, there are those people in this world who don’t have kind intentions when it comes to animals and if your pet’s name is on his tag, he may be more vulnerable to being lured away by someone who may not treat him well.
If your pet is microchipped, having an additional tag saying “I’m chipped” with the microchip company’s name and phone number can be a great back-up resource. It’s not uncommon for pets to wander off in the process of relocating. We’ve heard many stories of pets being reunited with their owners after many months of separation thanks to the information that was on the microchip.
If your pet always wears his or her ID tag, we applaud you! This is a small detail that can pay huge dividends if your pet gets lost. If your pet does not have an ID tag and you’ve been a little lax in tending to this detail, we hope this information has been helpful and will motivate you to take this very important step in taking care of your pet.
