Inside Story

Statistics show that one out of three pets become lost at some point in their lifetime, and missing pets rarely find their way home. Approximately 10 million pets are lost or stolen in the United States each year, and more than 6 million animals wind up in the nation’s animal shelters. Given that dogs and cats in shelters without ID are much less likely to be reunited with their owners, identification can mean the difference between life and death for your best friend.

National Pet ID Week, recognized annually from April 17 to 23, is an opportunity to ensure your pet is equipped with ID tags and/or microchips to maximize the chance of their safe return if they stray from home or are lost on vacation. As a pet owner, it is critical that your furry companion is protected.

ID Tags and Microchips

Many pets have tags and most who have been adopted from shelters in recent years have already been microchipped by the staff there, but you should still check to make sure your pet has at least one form of identification, or preferably two, as in both an ID tag and a microchip.

While microchips are great, wearing a collar and ID tag with your name and phone number is also important. If a neighbor or passerby finds your pet, they can quickly contact you and reunite you with your pet. Microchips require a unique tool to read; it can be months or years before that happens.

Now for smaller cats or dogs, collars can easily get caught in bushes and safely break away to prevent choking your pet. However, they don’t help your pet return home after falling off. Therefore, having your pet microchipped is an important safety net. Shelter workers and veterinarians can scan for the chip and contact you based on that information.

Keep your microchip info updated! If you move or change your phone number, update the information on file with the microchip company. Your pet can’t tell whoever is scanning the information that it is wrong, and if you’re unreachable, the microchip is essentially useless. It’s a good idea to ask your vet to scan it once a year to ensure the information is current.

Any Pet Can Get Lost

Some owners think their pets can’t get lost because their dog is always on a leash or their cat is an indoor-only pet. The truth is leashes break, doors can get left open, and tragedies like fire or natural disasters happen. Losing a pet is always possible, so take a minute this week to ensure your pet has the proper ID. It is well worth the effort.

Start Searching for Your Lost Pet Immediately

While this may sound obvious, many pet owners assume their pets will turn up on their own. The sooner you start looking, the more likely you’ll find your pet. Make posters with a picture of your pet and your phone number and hang them in the area where your pet was last seen. Contact the animal control officer in your area and alert local shelters. Most lost pets don’t stray too far if you start looking immediately.

American Humane has provided the following tips to help keep your pet safe:

• Make sure your pet always wears a collar with a current ID tag, rabies tag and city/county license (where applicable).
• Include a contact name, correct address and daytime and evening phone numbers on all ID tags.
• Keep your pet’s licenses, ID tag and microchip current – make sure to update the tag if you change your address or phone number.
• If you are traveling, put a temporary tag on your pet with the contact information of someone who knows how to reach you.
• Tag your cats even if you never let them outside. They could slip through an open door and quickly become lost in the neighborhood.
• Take the added security precaution of having your pet microchipped. Microchipping provides an additional layer of protection in the event the pet’s collar and tag fall off or are removed, and nearly all animal shelters across the country routinely scan every animal upon intake for the presence of a microchip.

Losing a pet can be absolutely devastating, but pets with ID tags and microchips are much more likely to find their way home to their loving family. Follow these tips and keep your family together!

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