Some form of identification for your pet is vital. Of the millions of dogs and cats euthanized in shelters around the country, an estimated 30 percent of them are lost pets whose owners cannot be found. Shelters only hold “stray” animals for a short time – sometimes only for a few days. Without identification, they are inevitably euthanized unless adopted out. Identification has evolved over the years, from collar tags to tattoos and, more recently, implanted microchips. All are still available, at a reasonable cost.
The best answer to the problem is to combine the traditional collar tag with a microchip. The reason is that the average person who finds a lost dog may not know to look for a tattoo and won’t be able to detect the microchip without a scanner. Often, the effort to contact the owner depends on how easy it is to do so. Collar tags can provide immediate contact information. Along with the ID tag, you dog should wear his license, which indicates that he has been vaccinated against rabies.
Collar tags are a must. Tags immediately tell a shelter worker that this dog has a home and a family who miss him. Tags should have up-to-date information on the name, address and phone number of the owner, and the name and number of the veterinarian (if there is enough room). The ID tag should be accompanied by the dog’s license tag, which tells whoever finds the dog that he has been vaccinated for rabies and is registered with the local government. The tags should be attached to your dog’s collar. Unfortunately, collars can be lost or (if the pet is stolen) taken off, so you’ll want to have a backup method of identification. If you don’t like ID tags, you can get collars that come with a plate to engrave your information.
Microchips have been gaining in popularity, especially with the introduction of scanners that can pick up microchips made by different companies. The chip is very small, about the size of a grain of rice, and it is inserted in the back of the pet’s neck just under the skin. The chip remains safely within the dog, though it may shift a little over time. When a scanner is passed over it, the chip gives a number, which is registered with the veterinary hospital and the microchip company. The company maintains the owner’s contact information. The pet needs to be thoroughly scanned to pick up the chip, not a quick swipe down the back. Many shelters have turned from tattoos to microchips. Whatever method you choose, make sure to back it up with visible identification.
We welcome all the clients and pets from VCA Total Care Animal Hospital that have merged into VCA Highlands Animal Hospital.
Come in and meet Dr. Bill Faust and our combined staff.
VCA Highlands Animal Hospital 3451 Elkhorn Blvd. North Highlands, CA 91660 916-332-2845