National Pet ID Week

This week, 18 - 24 April, 2010, is National Pet ID week in the USA.

Although there are many pets that are lost each year in America, only about 2% of cats and 15% of dogs are ever reunited with their human families. The best way to increase your chances of being reunited with your pet is to make sure that he or she always has proper identification.

Traditional pet identification methods consist of either an ID tag or a tiny tube that are clipped onto a pet's collar, along with a rabies tag and license. The ID tag is inscribed with the contact information of the pet's owner. The tube usually contains a small piece of paper on which a pet owner can write identifying information about their pet, including their own contact information as well.

Tattooing

For many years, pet owners have opted to discreetly tattoo their pets for identification purposes. Tattoos are painless to apply and are instantly traceable.

Tattoos are done by qualified tattooists and are usually placed either on the tip of the ear or near the groin area.

Microchipping

One of the more common forms of pet identification, microchipping consists of a tiny microchip that is roughly the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is embedded under the pet's skin that lies loosely around its neck. Each microchip is assigned a unique identification number that is then registered with a national database.

When a found pet is taken into a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, the staff will immediately scan the pet with a universal microchip reader. If found, the scanner will then reveal the microchip ID number and which database it is registered with.

The staff can then call the database registry to report the animal found. The database registry then contacts the pet owner.

Since statistics prove that the chances of finding a lost pet are six times greater if they are microchipped, most animal shelters provide microchipping for pet's prior to their adoption. Veterinary clinics also offer microchipping as well.

If you are concerned about having your pet microchipped, you can read a brochure that the American Veterinary Medical Association put together on their website.

There are other steps that you can take to help recover your pet quickly in the event that he or she is lost or stolen:

* Whilst an ID tag is a necessity that no pet should be without, to make it even more effective, the ID tag should be registered with a national recovery service and database. Always remember to keep your information up-to-date with the recovery service.

* Keep an up-to-date list of all the people you can think of that knows your pet well. Whether they are your family members, neighbors or dog park friends, these people will be the first people that you contact should your pet go missing and can help keep an eye out for your pet.

* Take a photo of your pet every month and keep a copy of the most recent one online, such as on Facebook or Flickr. This way you have the ability to access it anytime from anywhere in the world. This is especially helpful if you have to print out posters or post on local message boards.

* Make your own ID tag by using PCPetID. Available at Petco stores nationwide, the PCPetID is a portable computer storage device that allows you to create a distinctive ID tag for your pet by entering as much information, or as little information, as you want, via a USB port. It is waterproof and shock resistant.

* Another great option is to give your dog a real dog tag from Tag'Em. You can create 5 lines of text that fits on a military size dog tag - perfect for large breed dogs!

Photo Credit: liza31337