National Pet ID Week
Pet owners know that a missing pet is scary and upsetting. But, in general, one of the biggest issues in returning a lost pet to his proper home is a lack of adequate identification. Microchips and tags mean pets and their owners are reunited far more quickly. Pet ID Week is observed starting April 17, but it’s always a good time to look more closely at pet IDs and how to make sure your pet can be brought home quickly.
ID Tags
While microchips are great, wearing a collar and ID tag with your name and phone number is also important. If a neighbor or passerby finds your pet, they can quickly contact you and reunite you with your pet. Microchips require a unique tool to read; it can be months or years before that happens. Here are a few ID tag options available for pet owners:
- ID tag —Strong, nontoxic industrial-grade silicone. Jingle-free. Lifetime warranty and Made in the USA
- Combo collar —Durability, safety, and customizable -Plus, it’s a great brand.
- Slide-on Engraved —Surgery-grade stainless steel, up to 5 lines of customized text, and no noise (jingle-free)
- QR Code ID Tags—Made of durable silicone. Scanning the tag’s QR code activates it and links to the free pet profile page; no app is needed. If someone finds your lost pet and scans the QR code, it will email your pet’s GPS location and show it on Google Maps for Free!
Own A Ring Doorbell? You’ll appreciate this pet tag.
- GPS Tracker —tags are attached to a pet’s collar and use satellite signals to pinpoint the pet’s location (worldwide location tracking), which the pet owner can then view through a mobile app or website. These include activity monitoring, virtual boundaries, and alerts when a pet leaves a designated zone. Subscription plans are needed.
- SmartTag—Samsung-based, communicates with your smartphone, and tracks your pet in real-time. Use the SmartThings app to set up geofencing alerts and receive notifications when your pet leaves or enters a designated area. SmartTag is compatible with Android and iOS devices and controls other smart home devices.
- AirTag — An Apple product that uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to communicate with your iPhone and iPad. AirTag also has additional features, such as making a sound to help locate the AirTag and integrating with Apple’s Find My network for more precise tracking.
Both SmartTag and AirTag can be helpful tools for finding lost pets, but they have limitations. For example, they rely on the availability of a nearby smartphone with the app installed and an internet connection to be effective. They may not work well in areas with poor network coverage. It’s also essential to ensure that the tracking device is securely attached to the pet’s collar and that the collar is fitted correctly.
Microchips
For smaller cats or dogs, collars can easily get caught in bushes and safely break away to prevent choking your pet. However, they don’t help your pet return home after falling off. Therefore, having your pet microchipped is an important safety net. Shelter workers and veterinarians can scan for the chip and contact you based on that information.
Make Sure Microchip Info is Updated
If you move or change your phone number, update the information on file with the microchip company. Your pet can’t tell whoever is scanning the information that it is wrong, and if you’re unreachable, the microchip is essentially useless. It’s a good idea to ask your vet to scan it once a year to ensure the information is current.
Any Pet Can Get Lost
Some owners think their pets can’t get lost because their dog is always on a leash or their cat is an indoor-only pet. The truth is, leashes break, doors can get left open, and tragedies like fire or natural disasters happen. Losing a pet is always possible, so take a minute this week to ensure your pet has the proper ID. It is well worth the effort.
Start Searching for Your Lost Pet Immediately
While this may sound obvious, many pet owners assume their pets will turn up on their own. The sooner you start looking, the more likely you’ll find your pet. Make posters with a picture of your pet and your phone number, and hang them in the area where your pet was last seen. Contact the animal control officer in your area and alert local shelters. Most lost pets don’t stray too far if you start looking immediately.
- Pet FBI The Free Information Center For Lost and Found Dogs, Cats, and All Other Pets
In my house, and probably in yours, pets are family. So please spend a few moments this week making sure they’re safe and can be quickly returned to you in case they’re lost.
Also, remember it’s essential to keep your dog’s license current and their dog tags on their collar or harness at all times. (jingle jingle)
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