4 Best ID Tags And Collars To Keep Your Pet Safe
In case your BFF gets lost 💞
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One of a pet parent’s biggest fears is that their BFF goes missing.
Getting your pet microchipped is a great way to increase your odds of reuniting with him if he ever does get lost, and with the right ID tag and collar, your chances improve even more.
The Dodo spoke with Dr. Stacy Choczynski Johnson, a veterinarian from Pumpkin Pet Insurance, and Dr. Michelle Burch, a veterinarian from Safe Hounds Pet Insurance, to find out which ID tags and collars are best in the event that your pet wanders off.
What to put on a pet ID tag
You should put important contact information on your pet’s ID tag, like:
- Your pet’s name
- Your phone number
- Your address
- Your email address
- Your pet’s microchip number
- Your pet’s diagnosed medical conditions
“An ID tag with vital information such as phone number, address, microchip information or veterinary information is necessary for quick return of your lost pet if found by neighbors, strangers or the shelter,” Dr. Burch told The Dodo.
Benefits of a pet ID tag
The biggest benefit of a pet ID tag is that it makes it more likely that your BFF will be returned if he ever gets lost.
“Pet ID tags can help improve the odds of reuniting a lost pet with their owners,” Dr. Burch said. “The American Humane Association estimates that every year over 10 million dogs and cats are either lost or stolen. Also, one in three pets will become lost during their life.”
What to look for in an ID tag for pets
The biggest problem with dangling ID tags is that they can fall off fairly easily. Instead of an ID that hangs around your pet’s neck, try one that attaches to the band of his collar.
Dr. Burch recommends the Leashboss pet ID tag.
“The Leashboss pet ID tag is attached to a [pet’s] collar, which will not irritate your [pet] compared to tags that hang down their neck,” Dr. Burch said.
Sometimes, the best pet ID tag is actually a collar itself.
“I recommend a collar with a phone number embroidered or printed on the band itself,” Dr. Choczynski Johnson told The Dodo. “Tags may fall off, and important identifying information will be lost.”
Best pet ID tags
Here are some of the best ID tags you could get for your pet.
“The tag allows for five lines of text, allowing for an abundance of information, including the pet’s name, phone number and address.” — Dr. Michelle Burch, DVM
These collars can be personalized, so you can embroider your pet’s name and your phone number right on the band. That way, your contact information won’t get lost unless his whole collar comes off.
“The Pawscout pet tag is Bluetooth-enabled, which leverages the community to help find a lost pet. The tag uses short-range, radar-style tracking within 300 feet to ping nearby users when a pet goes missing.” — Dr. Michelle Burch, DVM
This collar includes an engraved ID tag that slides onto the band to reduce the risk of it falling off. It has space for four lines of text and is engraved by laser so the writing’s super clear and easy to read.