| In a previous article about Earthquake Preparedness, I mentioned
having your pet marked with either a tattoo or a microchip, plus having a name
tag on the collar. We can be fairly complacent in carrying ID ourselves, and likewise
about our pets. If your pet gets lost the sooner whomever finds it can contact
the owner, the sooner the pet gets home. The sooner your pet gets back to familiar
surroundings the less stress for your pet. Micro-chipping is performed
by your local veterinarian. Depending on your vet, he/she will have a preference
of how, where and when to do the insertion of the chip. This procedure is barely
more painful than a vaccination. Some vets will do the procedure while the dog
is conscious, and some will prefer to do it while the pet is asleep, and possibly
having other procedures done such as surgery and dental cleaning. The usual site
for a chip is either in the ear or shoulder areas. These chips have numbers and
can be registered with many Pet Find Associations. Check with your Veterinarian
and the local SPCA for more information. Many breeders tattoo their litters.
These numbers are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. This number consists
of the breeders kennel number, the litter number and the puppies number in order
of birth. These numbers can fade as the puppy grows and the skin stretches. Your
local veterinarian can arrange to do a tattoo for you and your pet. The usual
sites for these tattoos are on the lip, ear, and stomach. Most Pet Food
convenience stores and Veterinarian offices offer a list of locations to obtain
ID tags. Some locations offer same day service or an order service where it can
take a few weeks for the ID tag to arrive. It is advisable to not only have the
dogs name on the tag, but your name, address, and phone number. Tags are a quick
way to identify your pet, but they can get lost. Addresses and telephone numbers
can change. Tattooing and micro-chipping are more permanent. Which ever
method you use, please keep the information updated annually or when the situation
arises and it needs to be changed. This is for your pets safety and your peace
of mind. ------------------------------------------------- // ------------------------------------------------
Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson | 
