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According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs in shelters ever find their way home again. Thankfully, these loved pooches had identification, enabling shelter personnel to contact and return them to their owners. With such discouraging statistics, it becomes clear how important it is to identify your lost dog with some sort of ID.
Even if your dog doesnt go outside much or is always in your company, you must identify him or her. Windows and doors can be left open, offering your pup a too-tempting escape to the outside world. What should you do to keep your pup safe at home?
There are several ways to ID your pet to prevent against loss or theft. Ideally, implement at least two methods to ensure a safe return should your dog go missing.
How Can You Identify Your Lost Dog?
Tattoos and microchips provide permanent ways to identify your dog. Shelters, veterinarians, and research laboratories know to look for these keys when animals are brought to their facilities.
Tattoos
This permanent identification system involves tattooing a code onto the dogs skin, often inside the outer ear or on the inside of its leg. Veterinarians or trained specialists will ink the code for you. You will need to list your dog with one of the many tattoo registry programs around the country.
Microchips
These minuscule electronic chips are embedded under your dogs skin. Because special scanners are needed to read the information located on the chip, most veterinarians, shelters, and research laboratories have these on hand to scan all strays for identification. Several registries offer membership for dogs with microchips.
ID Tag
While tattoos and microchips offer excellent safety measurements at a reasonable cost, the fact is most people dont know to look for a tattoo or have the means available to scan for microchips. As a result, its essential you provide your pup with an ID tag worn on his collar. ID tags are often the first thing searched for when a stray dog is found by someone.
At a minimum, the tag should list a current phone number. Because people move and phone numbers change often, a second phone number of a trusted friend or family member is also recommended. If space is available, additional information to include is: your puppys name, your address, and any medical conditions.
Luckily, dog ID tags are not expensive to purchase, so it should be one of the first things you get your dog, once youve chosen a name. You can usually find just the right tag, too, that fits your lifestyle and your pets personality. Tags come in different materials, such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel or plastic, and in a variety of shapes and colors. Todays glamour pooch can even have his or her own tag made with crystals! When it comes to choosing a fun dog ID tag, the choices are limitless.
GPS Tracker For Dogs
GPS trackers can be attached to your dog’s collar. You can then trace your dog through an app on your cell phone or online. You can set perimenters for your dog and zones. When he leaves the “safe zones” that you set you will be sent an alert.
Using a GPS tracker can allow you to quickly locate your dog which cuts can really down on the time that your is out of your care. A GPS tracker should never replace proper recall training though. Training your dog to have a reliable recall and to ignore distractions as well as training your dog not to run off is important training that you should teach your dog.
But of course, accidents can happen and dogs can escape. When this happens, using a GPS tracker is the best way to find your lost dog quickly.
Whatever methods you use when protecting your pet against loss or theft, please remember to keep the contact information current. Just a few minutes of your time to update registry information or purchase a new dog tag can make all the difference in the world in your beloved dogs life.
