Providing Identification
Everyone enjoys taking their puppy on walks, to parks, and in the car for errands or
vacation trips. Whenever your puppy is out and about with you, it is important that he
has some form of identification, just in case he becomes separated from you or lost.
Here are some suggestions:
Collar: Select a well-fitted collar for your puppy
and attach an identification tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number.
Make sure that this information is current and updated if you move or your contact
information changes.
Micro-Chip: Another method of identification is
micro-chipping. The “microchip” is a small transponder, about the size and shape of
a grain of rice. Your veterinarian or your dog’s breeder inserts the chip under
your puppy’s skin using a hypodermic needle. The chip's memory circuit contains a
unique number that is registered in your name and which can be read by special scanners.
Microchipping has the benefit of providing permanent identification that is always with
your dog. However, not everyone who finds a lost dog is aware of the need to scan found
pets for a microchip and so this form of identification may be overlooked.
Tattoo: A final method of identification is tattooing.
Breeders often place an identifying tattoo on the inner hind leg or inside of the ear of
all dogs that they place in homes. Similar to micro-chipping, tattooing is usually associated
with a registry organization. |