Choosing a Pet Identification Tag for Your Miniature Australian Shepherd

Choosing a pet identification tag for your Miniature Australian Shepherd is like buying an insurance policy – you do so with the devout wish that you won’t need it. The “possible price” of not having a pet ID tag is more costly than the “actual cost” of purchasing the pet tag itself.

The type of pet identification tag that you buy is vital, so take 5 minutes or so to consider it. Impulsively picking a collar tag because it’s low cost or trendy usually proves to be a regret, in the long term.

Consider the following before buying any pet identification tag for your Miniature Australian Shepherd:
1.What is the amount of risk to your Miniature Australian Shepherd?
Missing Miniature Australian Shepherds are certainly common – we’ve all noticed “Lost Dog!” signs plastered around town, or deceased dogs lying by the edge of the road. If your Miniature Australian Shepherd is a pro at breaking through the fence, or cannot resist following a scent, or youthful and full of energy, or is not correctly trained, the chance of a lost Miniature Australian Shepherd is high.

But losing your Miniature Australian Shepherd isn’t the only possibility.

Some Miniature Australian Shepherds get stolen. A pet thief may steal Spot or Rover in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in dog battles (even small or gentle dogs are susceptible – they can be used as “bait”), or for use in satanic rituals.

And what is the risk to your Miniature Australian Shepherd if something were to happen to you, the owner?

If you’re a senior adult with a Miniature Australian Shepherd, especially if you live alone or are in poor health, there’s a high chance that at some point someone else will need to care for your furry friend, maybe with short notice. And anyone can be hit with a disaster or tragedy which leaves you incapable of caring for your companion.

In this case, will your Miniature Australian Shepherd’s new or temporary caregiver know that Fifi hates cats, or needs 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 helpful.

2.What level of risk are you ok with?
Some Miniature Australian Shepherds are just more important to their owners, and the risk of losing that particular animal warrants a specific, more expensive type of pet identification tag. Risk is proportional to value.

Note that there are multiple ways to determine the value of your Miniature Australian Shepherd. It may be monetary (e.g., a purebred Miniature Australian Shepherd) or occupational (e.g., a guide dog).

However for most Miniature Australian Shepherd owners, the sentimental attachment they have to their Miniature Australian Shepherd sets its value. For many, Miniature Australian Shepherds are family members, impossible to replace and dearly loved.

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

Pet identification tags come in various shapes, sizes and materials and hold varying amounts of info. Some have artwork or logos, too. Most pet ID tags are meant to be attached to a collar.

At a bare minimum, a pet identification tag should contain the phone number, name and address of the Miniature Australian Shepherd’s owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are lightweight but chewed easily. Stainless steel tags are durable and don’t rust or fade. These traditional kinds of tags can bought from any vet or pet store. They’re economical however the amount of information they can display is limited to the size of the tag.

Luckily, you have many more options in pet ID tags for your Miniature Australian Shepherd these days, such as tattooing, microchipping, digital display tags, voice recorded pet identification tags, and pet registry websites.

One of the most recent entrants in the pet identification game is the high-tech USB drive that hangs off your Miniature Australian Shepherd’s collar (or is attached to their cage) and which can hold 64MB of data (including comprehensive diet and medical information). The tiny USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be used in any computer, where it is readily updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your veterinarian 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 Miniature Australian Shepherds

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