It's a mighty big world out there
...
Should your pet go missing, the identification you have attached
to him or her is usually the key factor in
determining whether or not your pet will make it home.
In spite of our best efforts to keep our pets safe, they can
become lost, injured or stolen. Losing your pet is an awful
experience for you and, for sure, your pet too. I know, my cat
Puddles was missing in the woods for two months ... but I did
find her.
There are many methods of pet identification ... some simple,
some permanent and some high tech. Your best bet is
to use more than one.
Pet collars with identification tags ...
a simple but effective method
of pet identification
| |
| Pet
id tags are easy to see and read,
inexpensive and can be applied quickly.
A simple cat id tag can provide enough information
to ensure you are easily contacted
... should someone find your missing pet. |
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Tattoos for pets
Tattooing is a form of permanent pet identification.
A pet tattoo should be applied by an experienced veterinarian
or a highly recommended trained specialist.
Tattoos are usually applied in the ear or sometimes the inner
leg under anesthesia. My cats had them done when they were spayed
and neutered.
They can fade over time and might require a touch up. On a
dark skinned animal the tattoo is not as noticeable.
As a general rule, tattoos are most effective in the city or
area in which they were applied and registered. If you move
and don't update your contact information - the tattoo might
be very difficult to trace.
Your pet's tattoo should be registered with
the vet or specialist that applied it. There are also registries
where you can register the tattoo - ask for a recommendation
from your vet or animal shelter.
Pet Microchips
Inserting microchips in your pets can be an effective method
of pet tracking ... but it is not foolproof.
Pet microchips have been under scrutiny. This high tech method
of pet identification works well if
animal rescue, animal control, and pet homeless
shelters have the correct (or any) equipment
to read these chips. Some microchips and scanners operate using
different frequencies.
The United States is promoting their 'universal' scanner using
the FECAVA standard. In Canada, vets use both the FECAVA and
the ISO standard. If you are moving or travel with your pet
be aware that some microchips are not common to all
countries.
Before you purchase a microchip
for your pet ...
or if you have already done so, or moved ... make sure your
local animal shelters and other animal welfare agencies have
a compatible scanner that will detect and read that
brand of microchip.
Microchips are usually placed between a cat's shoulder blades
by your vet and contain an identification number.
If your pet's microchip is scanned by a hand held - and compatible
- scanner, an internet data base will immediately provide your
contact information. Other information stored in the
database can include immunization records, your vet
and pet's name and a possible reward.
I understand the needle used to inject the microchip is quite
large so it might not be entirely painless. If you are not too
keen on having your pet microchipped, you can also purchase
collars with these microchips embedded in them.
No method of pet identification is entirely reliable
Collars disappear, tattoos might not be seen and microchips have
not been detected. The best approach is to use more than one method.
It's easy to forget ... but if emergency contact information
changes, you are moving
or give your cat or dog away, do keep the contact information
updated and advise the appropriate registry, database
and your veterinarian.
We do what we can to keep our pets healthy and safe. Hopefully,
in the event your pet does go missing, the efforts you have
made to identify him or her as your own will pay off and you
will be easily reunited.
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