Choosing a pet ID tag for your Billy is like purchasing an insurance policy – you do so with the hopes that you’re never going to use it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more expensive than the “actual price” of buying the pet tag itself.
The type of pet ID tag that you buy is vital, so take 5 minutes or so to think it through. Impulsively buying a collar tag just because it’s inexpensive or pretty often proves to be unwise, in the long term.
Think about this prior to buying any pet id tag for your Billy:
1.What is the level of risk to your Billy?
Missing Billys are very common – we have all seen “Lost Dog!” signs setup around the city, or dead dogs lying on the side of the road. If your Billy is a master at hopping your fence, or cannot resist following a smell, or youthful and spry, or isn’t well trained, the possibility of a lost Billy is high.
But losing your Billy isn’t the only risk.
Some Billys are stolen. A pet thief may take Fifi or Spot in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in pit fights (even small or gentle dogs are at risk – they can be used as “bait”), or for use in cult rituals.
And what is the danger to your Billy if something happens to you, the owner?
If you’re a senior adult with a Billy, particularly if you live by yourself or are in ill health, there’s a good chance that at some point someone else may need to care for your Billy, perhaps with little notice. And anyone can be struck by disaster or tragedy which renders you incapable of caring for your companion.
In this instance, will your Billy’s new or temporary caregiver know that Rover hates cats, or needs medicine, or even whether or not Max is potty trained? A pet ID tag that contains more than your name and phone number would be extremely helpful.
2.What amount of danger are you comfortable with?
Some Billys are just more important to their owners, and the risk of losing that particular animal calls for a specific, more expensive kind of pet identification tag. Risk is proportionate to value.
Keep in mind that there are multiple ways to determine the value of your Billy. It may be monetary (e.g., a purebred Billy) or occupational (e.g., a guide dog).
But for most Billy owners, the companionship attachment they have with their companion sets its value. For many, Billys are members of the family, dearly loved and impossible to replace.
3.Using your answers to the two previous questions, what do you require of a pet identification tag?
Pet ID tags come in varying shapes, sizes and materials and can contain varying amounts of information. Some contain artwork or logos, as well. Many pet identification tags are designed to be attached to a collar.
At a bare minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the name, address and phone number of the Billy’s owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are lightweight but chewed easily. Stainless steel tags don’t rust or fade and are durable. These customary kinds of tags can gotten from any veterinarian or pet store. They’re economical however the amount of information they hold is limited to the size of the tag.
Fortunately, there are many more options for pet identification tags for your Billy these days, such as tattooing, microchipping, digital display tags, voice recorded pet id tags, and pet registry websites.
One of the most recent entrants in the pet identification market is the high-tech USB drive that hangs off your pet’s collar (or is attached to their kennel) and which can hold 64MB of data (including complete medical and diet information). The small USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be plugged into any computer, where it is readily updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your vet or pet sitter. There are also bluetooth devices for tracking, but their range is limited, due to bluetooth technological limits.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about BillysWas this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
Follow