In a previous article about Earthquake Preparedness, I mentioned having your pet marked with either a tattoo or a microchip, plus having a name tag on the collar. We can be fairly complacent in carrying ID ourselves, and likewise about our pets. If your pet gets lost the sooner whomever finds it can contact the owner, the sooner the pet gets home. The sooner your pet gets back to familiar surroundings the less stress for your pet.

Micro-chipping is performed by your local veterinarian. Depending on your vet, he/she will have a preference of how, where and when to do the insertion of the chip. This procedure is barely more painful than a vaccination. Some vets will do the procedure while the dog is conscious, and some will prefer to do it while the pet is asleep, and possibly having other procedures done such as surgery and dental cleaning. The usual site for a chip is either in the ear or shoulder areas. These chips have numbers and can be registered with many Pet Find Associations. Check with your Veterinarian and the local SPCA for more information.

Many breeders tattoo their litters. These numbers are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. This number consists of the breeders kennel number, the litter number and the puppies number in order of birth. These numbers can fade as the puppy grows and the skin stretches. Your local veterinarian can arrange to do a tattoo for you and your pet. The usual sites for these tattoos are on the lip, ear, and stomach.

Most Pet Food convenience stores and Veterinarian offices offer a list of locations to obtain ID tags. Some locations offer same day service or an order service where it can take a few weeks for the ID tag to arrive. It is advisable to not only have the dogs name on the tag, but your name, address, and phone number. Tags are a quick way to identify your pet, but they can get lost. Addresses and telephone numbers can change. Tattooing and micro-chipping are more permanent.

Which ever method you use, please keep the information updated annually or when the situation arises and it needs to be changed. This is for your pets safety and your peace of mind.