Identification

Whether it is lost or stolen, losing a pet is an agonizing experience. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, only about 2 percent of cats and 15 percent of dogs that enter U.S. animal shelters as strays every year are reunited with their owners.

The reason is shockingly simple -- too many owners fail to put identification on their animals, especially cats, to ensure their safe return home. Yet, even the most responsible pet owners can face unexpected circumstances that cause their animals to accidentally stray. Proper and up-to-date identification can mean the difference between life and death for your pet.

All cats and dogs need to wear collars with city licenses and rabies vaccination tags. This, along with an ID tag and implanted microchip or tattoo, can help secure your dog’s return should he become lost.  The tag should include the owner's name, address, telephone numbers (day and evening) and the pet's name.  If you are traveling, put a temporary tag on your pet with the contact information of someone who knows how to reach you. Check your pet's collar regularly. Collars do not expand, but puppies and kittens grow quickly! If not loosened, collars can literally grow right into your pet's neck, creating an excruciating, constant pain. Check your pet's collars at least every week until it is full-grown (that can be more than a year for really large breeds of dog). You should be able to easily slip two or three fingers between the pet's collar and their neck.

A tattoo is a permanent ID system that involves marking a code on the pet's skin. The finder calls a database and uses the code to obtain the owner's current address and phone number. This is an invaluable ID should a pet be stolen for research, since laboratories will instantly know the animal is not abandoned, but a beloved pet.

Microchips are tiny electronic capsules embedded under the pet's skin. When a pet is found, any agency with a scanner, including many animal care and control agencies, veterinary clinics and research labs, can quickly identify a code that links the animal to its owner through a database.