What information is essential on pet identification tags?
Written by
Kailani Okoro
Reviewed by
Prof. Edward Clarke, Ph.D.To make sure pet identification tags are effective, you need to be strategic about the information that is included. The most important piece of information you can give is your current phone number. This gives the person who finds your pet immediate and direct access to you. You will want to add your pet's name to provide a personal relevance to the tag, but not your home address. Medical alerts, like diabetes or allergies, can save your pet's life in an emergency.
Contact Details
- Primary phone number with current area code
- Secondary contact number as backup
- Email address for non-urgent communication
- City and zip code without street address
Medical Information
- Critical conditions like diabetes or epilepsy
- Severe allergies to medications or foods
- Current medications requiring timely dosing
- Vaccination status if legally required
Health information turns standard identifiers into lifesaving devices. Show alerts clearly so they can be readily recognized as important. For example, my client's dog survived a seizure because his epilepsy alert was visible. Avoid vague terms such as special needs. Use terms of specific medical significance that veterinarians recognize quickly.
Given security reasons, the home address mustn't be included. The city and zip code are sufficient to locate any area. This will keep strangers from being aware of where the pet lives. A client learned this first-hand when his phone number brought unwanted guests to his home. Attention should be concentrated on the various ways of contacting, which will keep your family safe while retracing the lost pet.
Read the full article: Pet Identification Tags: Essential Guide
