Dear Christina,
I just got a new kitten and I’m worried that he might get lost. What kind of identification do you recommend?
Dear new pet owner,
Identification is vital to getting your furry friend back if he gets out. Here’s some common types of pet ID:
Collar with tags
This is the least expensive form of ID, but it’s also the least reliable. Collars can be removed and tags can get scratched. Cat collars are designed to snap off to prevent choking.
Tattoo
A tattoo is a combination of letters and numbers in your pet’s ear. The number will be unique to your pet, but keeping your contact information up to date with your clinic is crucial as the tattoo traces back to it. Tattoos can fade over time, making them difficult to read. Different provinces use different codes so it can be quite tricky to trace a tattoo.
Microchip
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is injected under the skin at the back of the neck with a needle.
The devices don’t function as a GPS tracker so pets must be taken to a vet clinic to be scanned.
You do need to keep your contact information up to date with the microchip manufacturer, but many companies have 24-hour call centres, or websites you can access at any time.
If you travel or plan to move with your pet, a microchip is ideal as they are widely recognized, even overseas.
When anyone asks me what identification I prefer, I tell them that all my pets have a tattoo and a microchip.
The tattoo lets someone know instantly that this pet is owned, while the microchip is permanent, so when my pet gets to a vet clinic or humane society, I know that it will be scanned and I’ll get my buddy back!
If you have found a pet, please take it to any veterinary clinic.
Staff can scan for a microchip, and look for a tattoo in the ear.
Even if the tattoo is hard to read, there are tricks they can use to see it better.
Christina Holland is an animal health technologist in Airdrie. To have your pet questions answered, contact [email protected]
