Dog Safety Tips - Part One: ID Tags and Microchips

Original Post May 6, 2021

“Lost and Found: Safety and Your Dog”

This four-part series of posts will address how to keep our dogs safely with us and in the event of a separation how to maximize our chances of quick recovery.

Part One: ID Tags and Microchips

All dogs should have: ID tags and microchips

ID tags insure that your dog is returned to you ASAP by the person who first encounters your dog, microchips are added insurance if your dog’s collar and tags fall off or are not on the dog when they get loose. A microchip also proves that a dog is yours should someone steal your dog.

ID Tags your dog/puppy should wear all the time:

• Tag with dog’s name, your address, and phone numbers

• Rabies tag (when your dog is old enough) (mandated by law)

• NYC license (mandated by law)

• Micro-chip tag

Why Micro-chip a dog? Aren’t ID tags enough?
Dogs lose their collars, run out the front door or jump out of the car without their collars on, or get frightened and slip out of their collars and run. If your dog has a micro-chip implanted between his or her shoulder blades, every vet’s office, animal control agency, and private rescue group has a scanner to read your dog’s information. Be sure to keep your contact information connected to the micro-chip current and you could be reunited with your dog within hours of the dog being picked-up.

If my dog is micro-chipped why does he/she also need a collar with tags on it?
The owner of a lost dog with tags is likely to be called by the person who finds him or her and will re-united very quickly.

If your dog only has his or her micro-chip as identification, you dog will be taken to a vet’s office and/or the city shelter to be scanned. Many hours, or a day or more may pass before you are re-united with your companion.

If your dog is fluffy, cute and friendly, a stranger who picks him or her up and sees tags is more likely to call you. Without tags you run the risk of the person just deciding to keep the dog. (“he or she was running loose without tags,” could allow them to rationalize that they can offer a better home to the dog than you did.)

In the unlikely but possible happenstance that your dog is stolen, his or her micro-chip may be the only proof that the dog belongs to you. Remember to update microchip data if you move or your contact information changes.

Speaking of being stolen... do not tie your dog up outside a store while you shop. This is distressing to most dogs regardless of whether the following happens or not. It only takes a second for something to happen... teasing by teenagers, attacks by another dog, theft of your beloved companion, your dog panicking about being left and slipping his/her collar.

Coming next: Setting up your home to avoid having your dog dash out when someone opens the door.