Choosing a pet identification tag for your Basset Bleu De Gascogne is like buying insurance – you do it with the devout wish that you won’t use it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more expensive than the “real price” of purchasing the pet tag itself.
The kind of pet identification tag that you buy is important, so take 5 minutes or so to consider it. Whimsically picking a collar tag just because it’s low cost or trendy usually proves to be a regret, in the long term.
Think about the following prior to choosing any pet identification tag for your Basset Bleu De Gascogne:
1.What is the amount of risk to your Basset Bleu De Gascogne?
Lost Basset Bleu De Gascognes are very common – we’ve all come across “Lost Dog!” signs posted around the city, or deceased dogs lying on the edge of the road. If your Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a master at jumping your fence, or can’t resist tracking a scent, or youthful and energetic, or isn’t well trained, the risk of a lost Basset Bleu De Gascogne is high.
But losing your Basset Bleu De Gascogne isn’t the only danger.
Sometimes Basset Bleu De Gascognes are stolen. A pet thief may snatch Spot or Rover in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in dog 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 Basset Bleu De Gascogne if something were to happen to you, the owner?
If you’re a senior adult with a Basset Bleu De Gascogne, especially 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 Basset Bleu De Gascogne, maybe with little notice. And anyone can be hit with a disaster or tragedy which leaves you incapable of caring for your Basset Bleu De Gascogne.
In this case, will your Basset Bleu De Gascogne’s new or temporary caretaker know that Fifi hates cats, or requires medication, or even whether or not Max is potty trained? A pet identification that has more than your phone number and name would be extremely beneficial.
2.What level of danger are you ok with?
Some Basset Bleu De Gascognes are simply more important to their owners, and the chance of losing that particular animal calls for a specific, more expensive kind of pet ID tag. Risk is proportional to value.
Keep in mind that there are many ways to determine the value of your Basset Bleu De Gascogne. It may be financial (e.g., a purebred Basset Bleu De Gascogne) or occupational (e.g., a guide dog).
However for most Basset Bleu De Gascogne owners, the sentimental attachment they have with their Basset Bleu De Gascogne determines its value. For many, Basset Bleu De Gascognes are family, impossible to replace and dearly loved.
3.Based on your answers to the two previous questions, what do you require of a pet ID tag?
Pet identification tags come in varying materials, shapes and sizes and can contain varying amounts of information. Some have logos or artwork, as well. Most pet ID tags are designed to be attached to a collar.
At the minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the phone number, name and address of the Basset Bleu De Gascogne’s owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are lightweight but easily chewed. Stainless steel tags don’t rust or fade and are durable. These customary types of tags can bought from any animal doctor or pet store. They’re cheap but the amount of information they can display is limited to the size of the tag.
Luckily, you have many more options of pet identification tags for your Basset Bleu De Gascogne these days, such as tattooing, microchipping, digital display tags, voice recorded pet identification tags, and pet registry websites.
One of the newest entrants in the pet ID market is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your Basset Bleu De Gascogne’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 plugged into 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 limited, due to bluetooth technological limits.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Basset Bleu De GascognesWas 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