1.
Why buy a pet i.d. tag?
2.
My pet has a microchip. Do I need an i.d tag too?
3.
Of what material should a pet tag be made?
4.
How should a pet tag be made?
5.
What should go on a tag?
6.
What about putting an address on the tag?
7.
Shouldn't my name be on the tag?
8.
Doesn't knowing my pet's name help someone who wants to steal
him?
9.
Which name do I use if my pet has more than one?
10.
How
about putting "reward" on the tag?
11.
What if I want more phone numbers on a tag than the tag can
accommodate?
12.
I
know my pet should have a tag, but the jingling drives me crazy.
What can I do?
13.
Are all tags stamped to a uniform depth?
14.
What are your shipping and handling charges?
1. Why buy a pet i.d. tag?
It's the quickest way for a neighbor or good Samaritan to notify
you that they have found your pet.
2. My pet has a microchip. Do I need an
i.d tag too?
You need both because:
1) I.d. Tags are visible; microchips aren't;
2) People carry cell phones and can call if your pet is loose
(if you've provided them
with a phone number on an i.d.tag), not scanners to read
microchips; and
3) If your pet loses its collar or tag before it's found, the
microchip will act as its
second line of defense.
3. Of what material should a pet tag be
made?
I recommend Aluminum; it's very durable and won't rust.
4. How should a pet tag be made?
For maximum durability, a tag should be stamped, not engraved.
This is because stamping makes a deeper impression on the tag's
surface than engraving and the deeper the letters and numbers on
the tag, the longer it will last.
5. What should go on a tag?
Your tag should have your pet's name, so the good Samaritan
who wants to help can calm your pet and gain its confidence.
It should also have as many phone numbers as necessary to
insure that when this person calls, he will be able to speak to
someone at one of those numbers, and not get voice mail at all
of them. (For some people, just their cell phone numbers will do
the trick.)
6. What about putting an address on the
tag?
Most people would prefer that you pick up your friend. They
don't want to put strange animals in their cars and deliver
them. This is because they may have a busy schedule, be uncertain
about how to get to your home, have their own pets in their
cars, or any of a host of other reasons.
Moreover, if you've put the right combination of phone numbers
on your pet's tag, you (or someone close to you) will be
speaking to the finder within moments after he's gotten your
friend under control. When this happens, there's no need for
additional stuff on the tag, since you and the Good Samaritan
can make immediate arrangements to reunite you with your dog or
cat.
Beyond being unnecessary, there are some risks you take when you
put your address on a pet tag. These are:
1) You may invite a burglary from someone who knows your dog
isn’t home,
has your address, and can call to see if you’re there.
2) If you pay a reward for your pet’s safe return, the person
who collects it
will know where to petnap your critter if he wants another
reward.
3) If a well-meaning soul finds your pet close to your house,
he may figure
that all is well and that your kitty or pooch is just out
for a neighborhood walk.
4) Someone may deliver your pet when you’re not home to make
sure it
remains there.
7. Shouldn't my name be on the tag?
The Good Samaritan probably doesn't care what your name is when
he stops to help. He only wants to tell you that he's found your
pet and arrange to return it. If you want him to know your name,
you can introduce yourself when you're talking.
8. Doesn't knowing my pet's name help
someone who wants to steal him?
Perhaps, but ask yourself how many people leave their houses to
cruise the streets looking for lost pets to steal. Isn't it much
more likely that anyone who stops to corral your pet left his
house with something else in mind (e.g., errands, an
appointment) and has stopped to help? Don't you want to "play
the odds" in this situation and give the Good Samaritan every
advantage he can have?
Consider too that anyone who stops to steal your pet, will
probably have made the decision to steal him before he even gets
out of his car and reads the tag. In other words, he will steal
your pet whether he knows your pet's name or not!
Being stolen would be hard enough on your friend. Wouldn't
having to learn a new name make it worse?
9. Which name do I use if my pet has
more than one?
If your pet is lost, it may be disoriented and frightened. Give
the Good Samaritan every advantage and use the name to which
your pet is most accustomed.
10. How about putting "reward" on the
tag?
This one's a "toss-up". Most people who take the time to
intercept a lost pet are not doing it for money. The proof of
this is that when they are coaxing your pet to come to them,
they haven't yet seen the tag offering a reward.
The reward for these folks is your gratitude and the knowledge
that your dog or cat has been rescued.
If it will fit, and you want an extra line on your tag with
"reward" on it, go ahead. It won't stop the people who aren't
looking for money, and may motivate a small group to invest the
time to make sure that you and your pet are reunited.
The only negatives are that some people who would have been
happy without a reward will now ask for one, and that if you
disclose your address the reward-taker will know that you're
willing to pay one and also know where to get your pet again.
11. What if I want more phone numbers
on a tag than the tag can accommodate?
The larger the tag, the more room is available for multiple
phone numbers. If the tag you like best has insufficient space
for all of the numbers you want on it, you'll need to consider a
different one.
12. I know my pet should have a tag,
but the jingling drives me crazy. What can I do?
You can have both the rabies and pet information stamped on
opposite sides of my pet tag. This will eliminate the tags
banging together
You can minimize noise from hanging tags by taping them
back-to-back with two-sided tape.
13. Are all tags stamped to a uniform
depth?
No. The depth of the stamped impression is greater than
engraving. However, small differences in the composition and
thickness of different tags means that the letters and numbers
on some tags will be slightly deeper than others.
14. What are your shipping and handling
charges?
At checkout, 10% will be added to your total for shipping and
handling.
