Choosing a Pet ID Tag for Your Harrier

Choosing a pet ID tag for your Harrier is like purchasing an insurance policy – you do it with the hopes that you’re never going to use it. The “possible price” of not having a pet ID tag is more costly than the “actual price” of purchasing the pet tag itself.

The type of pet ID tag that you buy is crucial, so take 5 minutes or so to consider it. Impulsively choosing a collar tag just because it’s cheap or trendy often ends up being unwise, down the road.

Consider this before purchasing any pet id tag for your Harrier:
1.What is the level of risk to your Harrier?
Missing Harriers are very common – we have all seen “Lost Harrier!” signs plastered around the city, or dead dogs lying by the edge of the road. If your Harrier is a pro at hopping your fence, or can’t help chasing a scent, or youthful and energetic, or is not properly trained, the chance of a missing Harrier is high.

But losing your Harrier isn’t the only possibility.

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

And what is the danger to your Harrier if something happens to you, its owner?

If you’re a senior adult with a Harrier, particularly if you live alone or are in poor health, there’s a good chance that at some point someone else may need to care for your furry friend, maybe with little notice. And anyone can be hit with a disaster or tragedy that leaves you incapable of caring for your Harrier.

In this case, will your Harrier’s temporary or new caregiver know that Spot hates cats, or requires medication, or even whether or not Max is potty trained? A pet identification that has more than your name and phone number would be extremely beneficial.

2.What amount of risk are you ok with?
Some Harriers are simply more important to their owners, and the chance of losing that pet calls for a specific, higher priced kind of pet identification tag. Risk is proportional to value.

Keep in mind that there is more than one way to assess the value of your Harrier. It may be financial (e.g., a purebred Harrier) or occupational (e.g., a guide dog).

But for most Harrier owners, the sentimental attachment they have with their Harrier sets its value. For many, Harriers are members of the family, impossible to replace and dearly loved.

3.Based on your responses to the two previous queries, what do you need in a pet ID tag?

Pet ID tags come in varying shapes, sizes and materials and can contain varying amounts of information. Some contain artwork or logos, too. Usually pet identification tags are designed to be attached to a collar.

At the minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the name, address and phone number of the Harrier’s owner in a legible, durable format. Plastic tags are lightweight but chewed easily. Stainless steel tags don’t rust or fade and are durable. These traditional types of tags can gotten from any animal doctor or pet store. They’re inexpensive however 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 Harrier 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 identification market is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your pet’s collar (or is attached to their cage) and which can hold 64MB of data (including comprehensive diet and medical information). The small USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be plugged into any computer, where it is automatically updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your vet or pet sitter. There are also bluetooth trackers, but their range is small, because of bluetooth technological limits.

Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Harriers

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