Dog Identification

If your dog gets lost, your best chance of finding him again is proper identification. Dog tags should be worn at all times by your dog. Also, your dog should wear an Identification Tag which has your dog's name, your telephone number, and the license from the city where you live. Because dog tags can be removed or lost, the best protection is to have another form of identification: a tattoo or a microchip.

A dog ID tattoo consists of a series of numbers and characters which are registered with an notional database. These tattoos are placed on your dog's ear or more commonly on your dog's flank.

Microchips are largely replacing tattoos because they are quick and easy to place. About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip is inserted between your dog's shoulder blades by a veterinarian. These chips have a lifespan of 25 years and the dog will never know it is there. A central data base can identify who your dog is and where, you, the owner lives. In my opinion, it is the best way to get a lost dog or even a stolen dog returned to the rightful owner.

It should also be noted that if your dog bites someone, by being able to make identification, vet records can determine if shots are up-to-date. Up-to-date rabies shots can save your dog. By knowing the dog has had these shots a bitten person may not have to undergo painful rabies treatments. There is no known cure, as yet, for an individual infected with rabies.