Lost Pet Prevention Tips

Idaho Pet Identification Tags

From personal experience, we advise that every pet wear a collar or harness and an identification tag at all times. Information should include your pet's name, current address with zip code, phone numbers with area code(s) and any special notes, such as "needs meds". Engraving REWARD next to the pet's name has a psychological effect of making people look harder for you. This goes for cats as well as dogs. This is by far the quickest way your beloved animal will find his or her way home.

Often dogs are found with licenses or rabies tags but no personal information. This makes it a lot more difficult for the person who finds your dog to locate you. If the dog is found at night or any time city offices are closed, your beloved dog could end up at the pound instead of in your home.

There is no such thing as an indoor cat who "will never get out." There are many cases where visitors may leave a window, door or gate open, allowing the pet to escape. It takes less than one second for a cat to slip out an opening as small as two inches. Please put an ID tag on your cat!

Microchip your Pet

In addition to tags, every pet should have a microchip. This is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted under the pet's skin between the shoulder blades. While photographs and vet records help to prove ownership of an animal, a microchip is the only 100% guaranteed way to prove that a missing, lost or stolen animal belongs to you!! Almost every veterinarian and public animal shelter offers them. More non-profit and no-kill shelters are starting to offer them as well. The Idaho Humane Society offers this service for only $25.

It is critical to register your personal information with whatever veterinarian or organization implants the chip. There is also an option to register your pet nationwide for a small additional fee. It is critical to keep your information up-to-date. Sadly, there are animals whose owners move or have phone numbers changed or disconnected and cannot be found despite heroic efforts of shelter staff. Birds, reptiles, and other mammals such as ferrets, rats, and horses can all be microchipped. Check with your vet or shelter for more detailed info.