| There are all sorts of pet identification devices | | | | making it possible to store more information |
| available in the market today. Ranging from simple | | | | about your pet and even USB drive pet tags that |
| plastic nametags to the more sophisticated | | | | can be updated often and plugged into any |
| microchips and GPS collars, there is an option to | | | | computer for immediate identification. |
| suit every pet and all budgets. When choosing a | | | | A more permanent type of pet identification and |
| pet ID, take some time to consider some | | | | one that is fast gaining popularity is the microchip. |
| relevant points. For example, is your dog an | | | | The size of a grain of rice, this actual chip is |
| escape artist? Is he young and boisterous and | | | | injected between the shoulder blades of your dog |
| prone to running off and exploring? Has he been | | | | under medical supervision. Your vet will be able to |
| properly trained and is he obedient to commands? | | | | carry out this relatively simple procedure in no |
| The answers to these questions will help you | | | | time and will cause no discomfort to your pet. |
| decide just exactly how high risk your pet is. The | | | | Microchips possess all the relevant information |
| higher the chances of him escaping or running off, | | | | embedded within as well as a back up of the |
| the more advanced your pet ID should ideally be. | | | | same with the provider's database. As a result |
| Of course pets don't always simply go missing - | | | | there is an annual fee attached for registration |
| some of them are stolen. Certain breeds such as | | | | and pet recovery services if required. Microchips |
| purebreds or trained dogs are more susceptible to | | | | also need scanners to extract the information and |
| theft than others. At the end of the day | | | | all vets and shelters might not be equipped with |
| however, the cost of NOT having a pet ID is | | | | these scanners. In such instances, the very |
| infinitely higher than actually purchasing one. After | | | | existence of a microchip becomes null and void, |
| all, your pet is a part of your family and wouldn't | | | | as there is no way to access the information |
| you do anything to keep him safe and secure? | | | | included. |
| Pet IDs can vary in terms of size, shape, | | | | Tattooing your pet is another age-old solution to |
| durability and information storage capabilities. For | | | | the identification problem. ID numbers are |
| instance, a simple dog tag could be anything from | | | | generally tattooed in the area of the pet's groin |
| a plastic tag with the bare minimum of | | | | and the number is then listed with a registry |
| information (i.e. name, address, and phone | | | | service for optimum effect. Shelters and clinics |
| number). While these plastic tags are lightweight | | | | also tend not to get rid of tattooed pets and hold |
| and economical, they are not very long lasting. A | | | | them for a longer period. Over time though, the |
| better option would be stainless steel tags that | | | | tattoo might fade so it is recommended that only |
| can be attached to the dog collar. These could | | | | a skilled tattoo artist handle the procedure so as |
| even be engraved with the necessary information | | | | to ensure its longevity. |
| and are sturdier than most other types. There | | | | The latest in pet identification today is the GPS |
| are also temporary ID tags available that you can | | | | Tracker . Models such as the SpotLight GPS Pet |
| add on to your pet's collar when you are traveling. | | | | Locator are attached to your dog's collar. It is |
| Here you should mention the address and | | | | lightweight, durable, and water-resistant and |
| numbers where you can be reached and more | | | | comes with round the clock access to the AKC |
| importantly the dates you will be at these places. | | | | CAR Helpline and recovery services. GPS Pet |
| All of these types of tags can be purchased from | | | | Trackers such as SpotLight use GPS technology |
| your vet, a pet store or even online. As with | | | | to help you pin point the exact location of your |
| everything else, even the basic pet ID tag has | | | | pet in a matter of minutes. Therefore they serve |
| been improved with technology. You can now get | | | | a multifold purpose of identification, prevention and |
| ID tags with digital displays or voice recordings, | | | | protection! |
| IDs that are linked back to pet registry sites | | | | |