Picking a pet identification tag for your Tosa is like purchasing an insurance policy – you do so with the devout wish that you’re never going to use it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more costly than the “real cost” of buying the pet tag itself.
The type of pet identification tag that you buy is vital, so take 5 minutes or so to consider it. Whimsically purchasing a collar tag just because it’s cheap or trendy often ends up being a regret, long-term.
Think about this before choosing any pet id tag for your Tosa:
1.What is the amount of risk to your Tosa?
Lost Tosas are definitely common – we have all come across “Lost Dog!” signs setup around the city, or deceased Tosas lying by the side of the road. If your Tosa is a master at hopping the fence, or cannot help chasing a scent, or young and full of energy, or isn’t correctly trained, the chance of a missing Tosa is high.
But losing your Tosa isn’t the only concern.
Sometimes Tosas get stolen. A pet thief may steal Fido or Fifi hoping to get a reward for its return, or to use in pit fights (even small or gentle dogs are at risk – they can be used for “bait”), or for use in satanic rituals.
And what is the danger to your Tosa if something were to happen to you, its owner?
If you’re a senior citizen with a Tosa, especially if you live by yourself 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 which renders you incapable of caring for your Tosa.
In this case, will your Tosa’s temporary or new steward know that Fifi hates cats, or needs medication, or even whether or not Max is potty trained? A pet ID tag that has more than your name and phone number would be extremely helpful.
2.What level of risk are you ok with?
Some Tosas are simply more important to their owners, and the chance of losing that particular animal demands a specific, more expensive type of pet ID tag. Risk is proportional to value.
Realize that there is more than one way to determine the value of your Tosa. It may be financial (e.g., a purebred Tosa) or functional (e.g., a guide dog).
But for most Tosa owners, the emotional attachment they have with their Tosa determines its value. For many, Tosas are members of the family, dearly loved and impossible to replace.
3.Using your responses to the two previous questions, what do you require of a pet identification tag?
Pet identification tags come in various sizes, shapes and materials and can contain varying amounts of information. Some have artwork or logos, as well. Usually pet ID tags are meant to be hung from a collar.
At a bare minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the address, phone number and name of the Tosa’s owner in a legible, durable format. Plastic tags are light but easily chewed. Stainless steel tags don’t rust or fade and are durable. These traditional types of tags can purchased from any veterinarian or pet store. They’re economical however the amount of information they can display is limited to the size of the tag.
Fortunately, you have many more options for pet identification tags for your Tosa these days, such as tattooing, microchipping, digital display tags, voice recorded pet id tags, and pet registry websites.
One of the most recent entries in the pet ID market is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your Tosa’s collar (or is attached to their cage) and which holds 64MB of data (including comprehensive diet and medical information). The small USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be used in any computer, where it is automatically updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your vet or pet sitter. There also exist bluetooth trackers, but their range is low, due to bluetooth technological limits.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about TosasWas 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 🙂
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