Up-To-Date Id Tags Crucial For Returning Lost Pets

by Chandra Cushman / Up-To-Date Id Tags Crucial For Returning Lost Pets /Humane Society of Central Arizona

If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know about the importance of ID tags. Having identification and contact information securely attached to your pet’s collar makes it much more likely that you’ll get your family member back if something should happen and your animal gets away._

A recent study published in “Preventative Veterinary Medicine” revealed that only 33 percent of owners keep ID tags on their pets. If you’re one of the 67 percent who sometimes, rarely or never puts tags on your pet, consider this: They considerably increase the return-to-owner (RTO) rate if your pet is lost.

What info should appear on my pet’s ID tags?

Your pet’s name and your phone number are the most important things. Putting multiple phone numbers or a cell phone number is always a good idea and ensures you are reached.

If your dog is microchipped, which we recommend, you should attach the microchip tag to the collar as well.

Finally, it’s a good idea to also have your pet wear their license and rabies tag. This way whoever finds him will know he is up to date on vaccines.

How often should I change my pet’s tags?

Anytime you move you should update your pet’s tags. When your pet’s vaccines and/or license is updated, be sure to put the new tags on as well.

Be sure to check your pet’s tags often for legibility and wear and tear.

Since we are talking about identification for animals, another great one is microchipping.

Why microchip your pet?

Registered microchips give lost pets the best chance of returning home. Statistics indicate that missing pets rarely make it home:

• The American Humane Association estimates over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. every year.

• One in three pets will become lost at some point during their life.

A study published in the “Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,” including 53 animal shelters across the U.S., confirmed the high rate of return of microchipped dogs and cats to their families, and the importance of microchip registration. From the study:

• Only about 22 percent of lost dogs that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families. However, the return-to-owner rate for microchipped dogs was over 52 percent (a 238 percent increase).

• Less than 2 percent of lost cats that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families. The return-to-owner rate for microchipped cats was dramatically higher at over 38 percent (more than 2,000 percent better).

• Only 58 percent of the microchipped animals’ microchips had been registered in a database with their pet parent’s contact information. This is why it is important to not only register your pet’s microchip, but to keep it up to date with your information.

The microchip is no bigger than a grain of rice and is affordable. It is easily implanted and takes no time at all. Veterinarians and some shelters offer this service. Microchipping substantially increases the likelihood of a pet returning home by offering secure, reliable, unique and permanent identification.

What are the advantages of microchips?

• No anesthetic is required. The procedure is similar to a routine vaccination.

• A pet microchip does not contain a battery, nor does it need to be charged.

• Unlike traditional collar tags, pet microchips do not wear down, fall off, or scratch into illegibility.

• Microchips are designed to last the life of your pet.

• Globally compatible scanners read the unique identification code on the microchip. This code is used to retrieve the contact information that the pet’s parent has provided to the pet recovery database.

• Microchips for pets are surprisingly inexpensive for the value. HSCAZ charges $50 for microchipping, which includes registration.

• Some pet microchip registries offer a variety of value-added services, like a lost pet emergency medical hotline and travel assistance for found pets at little or no additional cost.

To obtain more information on microchipping or identification tags, please feel free to contact us at (928) 474-5590, or via email at hs@humanesocietycentral az.org.

Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals 

It’s the second annual Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals. Last year, a group of HomeTalk “Do It Yourself” home bloggers shopped their local thrift shops nationally that benefit sheltered animals. They shared their thrift shop projects and stories of their animals on HomeTalk and their own websites. This event is to bring awareness to thrift shops that benefit sheltered animals. Please join us this year!

The Humane Society of Central Arizona Thrift Shop and Vintage Boutique invites you to take part in this special creative and educational shopping adventure benefiting the animals. The all-day event will take place Saturday, Oct. 4. Shop with a group of friends and learn how to transform your unique finds into one of kind treasures.

Jeanette Chaney, with Country Design Style, will conduct three do-it-yourself demonstrations, featuring furniture painting techniques. The one-hour DYI demonstrations will be at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Each hour will include a question and answer session. Jeanette will show you how easy and economical it is to repurpose both your thrift shop purchases and freshen up furniture and accessories in your home. Enjoy refreshments and prize opportunities all day. Your support of this event will assist the Humane Society of Central Arizona in fulfilling its ongoing mission to serve the animals.

We hope you will take part in this special Benefit for Sheltered Animals by shopping, learning, blogging and sharing the day with others. The Humane Society’s Thrift Shop and Vintage Boutique is located at 510 W. Main St., in Payson. This event is sponsored by HomeTalk and Country Design Style. For more information, visit countrydesignstyle.com.