I’m updating my dogs’ ID tags and wondering if I should put more information on them. They currently just have the dog’s name and my cell phone number. I’m thinking about adding microchip brand/number and waffling on including my address.
What information do you include on your dog’s ID tags?
Side 1: Dog’s Name, Phone Number
Side 2: Address
He also has a rabies tag, which is traceable through the health dept.
^ That, except I include my full name on the side with my address.
I use embroidered collars, which limits the info, so I do my cell number and address.
It’s not like Lucy T. Cat is going to answer to her name for a stranger (hey, she’s hit or miss with me), so my priority is to enable another human to contact me if she gets in trouble.
Right now, I just have my name, pets name, home and cell phone numbers.
BUT – I live out in “the woods” and cell phones usually do not work out here. I have found dogs lose on the highway, and have returned them home on more than one occasion now, - and was able to do so, because the dog’s tags had it’s home address.
Very helpful info, one was a poor panicked dog out on the highway in the middle of the night on new years eve. I was able to get him in my car, and home – and put him back in his yard. If it had been a number only - at the very least I would have had to drive 20 mins home - THEN call and try to find someone (owners were not home when I returned him), so at the very least I would have probably been stuck with the dog overnight!
Pet’s name, my name & address, my phone and my vet’s phone. I use Boomerang tags and you can fit a lot on them.
My name and cell number.
Remember that if your pet is lost, s/he may be frightened and disoriented and not allow people close. So it’s helpful if someone can read the tag from far away.
I also write my cell number in big black letters on my dog’s nylon collar.
The hunting dogs who come to my farm generally won’t let me put my hands on them, but will sometimes let me close enough to read their collar or tag. Bigger font is better.
My dogs all have round plastic tags in screaming yellow with black lettering.
Dogs name, our last name, our phone number, & vet’s phone number.
I have definitely returned dogs to homes when the address is on the tag. That info sure is useful.
I’ve also called owners. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a vet number on the tag (except the rabies tag) or would think to call the vet if the number were on there.
I also appreciate a collar that’s easy to get OFF the dog, as my usual method is to contain the dog somehow (stall, whatever) and pull the collar off the look at the tag info. Makes me nervous to have my face down in a strange dog’s face to read the info. If the collar is an old, stiff buckle nylon thing it can be tough to remove.
We added the vets’ number (with their permission) to the tags on the off chance that should one of our dogs get loose (& still have their collar on) & get injured, if someone couldn’t get in touch with us, they could contact our vets, who have carte blanche to do anything necessary.
I have my first initial, last name and cell number.
I just have my cell # currently because of space. However, I’m looking for other options, especially for traveling with dog in the car. Obviously if I am injured in a car wreck, my cell is of little use. My neighbor has her brother’s number on her dog’s tags, which I thought was pretty smart. Her thinking is that he lives an hour away, so that if there was a storm or such here, he would probably still be reachable, and able to come get the dog quickly. And, he has all of her numbers (work, cell, home, etc) and could call her at any of those and track her down, rather than trying to fit 3 numbers on the tag. Pretty smart I think, although I’m not sure I know anyone who obsessively has their phone with them enough :).
As a side issue in case anyone has brilliant suggestions, my dog has horrible anxiety issues, and would probably need sedation to be handled by rescuers - a mobile vet and BFF has volunteered to have her cell # on the dog; she doesn’t live close but knows vets all over the state and offered to arrange for sedation/help rescuers deal with the dog in an emergency, but collar isn’t very useful for that info anyway. I’m thinking of putting emergency info in the glovebox and also attached to the guard that keeps her in the back of the car, but not really sure where rescuers would look.
On her tag;
street address
home phone
cell phone
email
Since we live in the city she has to have city tags;
and her Rabies tag
and the microchip tag.
Too Many Tags!!!
I do name and 2 ph #'s, one of which is a landline, in case reception is bad where I am. I don’t put the address, because if the dog somehow escaped from my yard/pushed out window screen when I was gone, I wouldn’t want someone to just put him back in, only to have him get out the same way again a few minutes later. A ph call will give you a heads up.
Phone numbers and address are the most important, names only if space is available. IME(I’m an ACO) having your pet microchipped is very important. One of the first things I do when I bring a new furbaby home.
I use tags with QR codes that can be read by smart phones. All information is stored online and can be changed at any time. (Tags can be used on ‘future generations’)
I have my name, city, state and three phone numbers. I’m curious, though, after reading what a lot of folks have on their tags. I always heard not to include the dog’s name on the tag as it makes it easier for an unscrupulous person to steal the dog if they know the dog’s name. And with all the nut jobs out there, I’m also concerned with having my address on the tag. Thoughts?
Guin, thanks for the link. Those are great tags!
i also use the Boomerang tags (best invention ever. Stella was constantly losing her tags in the woods). I have her name, my number, and my address.
My dog has multiple tags on his collar also:
[QUOTE=Outfxed;6859773]
I have my name, city, state and three phone numbers. I’m curious, though, after reading what a lot of folks have on their tags. I always heard not to include the dog’s name on the tag as it makes it easier for an unscrupulous person to steal the dog if they know the dog’s name. And with all the nut jobs out there, I’m also concerned with having my address on the tag. Thoughts?
Guin, thanks for the link. Those are great tags![/QUOTE]
My breeder has always told me this. Put “REWARD” with your phone number on the tag rather than the dogs name.
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