Tag Your Dog

I’m still surprised at the number of dogs that don’t wear an ID tag or only wear them when they go out on a walk with their owner. Even if your dog has a microchip or tattoo, they still need an ID tag. This way if your dog is lost, a neighbor or good samaritan can reach you right away when they find your dog, before it goes to a shelter. So, you want your dog to be wearing the tag at all times, just in case they sneak out without you.

ID tags are super easy to get. Some stores like PetsMart, Petco, and some Wal-Mart stores have 'Quick Tag Kiosks' where you can make your own tags for only a few dollars. Or you can order from one of the many mail order catalogs or internet companies that engrave tags. Even your local hardware store may engrave ID tags.

Many dog owners I’ve asked don’t keep a tag on their dog because they don’t like the clinking noise. It’s easy to get around that, you can purchase silencers that attach to the tags and muffle the sound, there are collars specially made to allow engraved tags to affix with rivets, there are tags that slide on collars and there are plastic tags that are virtually silent.

What to put on the tag is the next question. If you are only going to put one thing on the tag, it should be your cell phone number. This way if you are not at home or out looking for your dog, you can be reached. If you don’t have a cell phone, put your home phone number and a relative or friend’s phone number.

You can also put a name on the tag, but it should be your name and not your dog’s name. Having your dog's name on the tag can do more harm than good. Many people are not aware of the number of dogs that get stolen every year. It's pretty high. Having your dog's name on the tag makes stealing him that much easier and it doesn’t help find him any faster. If someone gets close enough to read the tag, then they can call the number on it. At that point you can tell them the dog's name if necessary.

After your name, you can list your street address, but it is the least important line. Most people are going to call. If you travel with your dog you might also want the city and state listed. This way if you lose your dog in Wisconsin and your tags say "Chicago,IL" the person that finds your dog knows that this dog is lost and a long way from home.

Other things to consider, dogs with special needs can also have them listed on the tag. Examples:

Requires Daily Medication
I am Deaf
I am Blind
Diabetic-Please Do Not Feed

"Requires Daily Medication" adds a certain amount of urgency to getting the dog back home. If people know that your dog needs medicine and that it's daily, they will be in more of a rush to locate you and be less likely to keep him. "Reward if Found" is another good one. Just keep in mind if you put it on there, be ready to pay up when someone locates your dog.

I would avoid email addresses and websites; they will just clutter the tag.

If you don’t have room for all the information you want to include on the tag, consider engraving on the front and back of the tag or using two tags.

An ID tag requires a very small investment for such peach of mind. I urge you to keep your dog safe by putting an identification tag on him and keeping it on 24/7!

I found a great resource online for ID Tags, Boomerang Tags.

Please note that I am in no way affiliated with any of the resources I list on my blog.