Buying a Pet ID Tag for Your Scotch Collie

Picking a pet identification tag for your Scotch Collie is like buying insurance – you do so with the devout wish that you’re never going to need it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more costly than the “real cost” of purchasing the pet tag itself.

The type of pet ID tag that you buy is vital, so take five minutes or so to consider it. Impulsively choosing a collar tag because it’s inexpensive or pretty usually ends up being a regret, in the long term.

Consider the following prior to choosing any pet id tag for your Scotch Collie:
1.What is the level of risk to your Scotch Collie?
Missing Scotch Collies are certainly common – we’ve all noticed “Lost Dog!” signs setup around the city, or deceased dogs lying along the side of the road. If your Scotch Collie is a master at tunneling under the fence, or can’t help chasing a smell, or young and vigorous, or is not well trained, the risk of a lost Scotch Collie is high.

But losing your Scotch Collie isn’t the only possibility.

Sometimes Scotch Collies get stolen. A pet thief may steal Spot or Rover in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in pit battles (even small or gentle dogs are susceptible – they can be used for “bait”), or for use in religious rituals.

And what is the danger to your Scotch Collie if something happens to you, the owner?

If you’re a senior adult with a Scotch Collie, especially if you live alone or are in ill health, there’s a good chance that at some point someone else may need to care for your furry friend, perhaps with little notice. And anyone can be hit with a disaster or tragedy that leaves you unable to care for your companion.

In this instance, will your Scotch Collie’s temporary or new caretaker know that Rover hates cats, or requires medication, or even whether or not Max is housetrained? A pet ID tag that has more than your name and phone number would be extremely helpful.

2.What level of risk are you comfortable with?
Some Scotch Collies are just more important to their owners, and the risk of losing that particular animal warrants a specific, more expensive kind of pet ID tag. Risk is proportionate to value.

Realize that there are many ways to assess the value of your Scotch Collie. It may be monetary (e.g., a purebred Scotch Collie) or occupational (e.g., a guide dog).

However for most Scotch Collie owners, the sentimental attachment they have to their Scotch Collie determines its value. For many, Scotch Collies are members of the family, impossible to replace and dearly loved.

3.From your answers to the two previous questions, what do you require of a pet identification tag?

Pet identification tags come in various shapes, sizes and materials and can contain varying amounts of info. Some have logos or artwork, as well. Usually pet ID tags are meant to be hung from a collar.

At the minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the address, phone number and name of the Scotch Collie’s owner in a legible, durable format. Plastic tags are light but easily chewed. Stainless steel tags are durable and don’t rust or fade. These traditional types of tags can purchased from any animal doctor or pet store. They’re inexpensive yet the amount of info they hold is limited to the size of the tag.

Fortunately, there are many more options for pet identification tags for your Scotch Collie these days, such as tattooing, microchipping, digital display tags, voice recorded pet identification tags, and pet registry websites.

One of the recent entries in the pet ID game is the high-tech USB drive that hangs off your Scotch Collie’s collar (or is attached to their kennel) and which can hold 64MB of data (including complete diet and medical information). The tiny USB drive is encased in a sturdy polymer case and can be used in any computer, where it is automatically updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your veterinarian or pet sitter. There also exist bluetooth devices for tracking, but their range is low, due to bluetooth technological limits.

Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Scotch Collies

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