PROMOTE PET ID TAGS

Pet ID tags make it possible for people unfamiliar with a lost animal to return the pet to its owner. Unfortunately, many people neglect to tag their pet with adequate identification in case they stray from home and become lost. Promoting pet I.D. tags helps pets and their owners reunite before any harm comes to the wandering pet.

People love their pets. Whether indoor or outdoor, immersed with the family or on guard outside the home, pets are a huge part of their owners' lives and bring great joy.

A missing pet, however, can be a very sad experience for an owner and a dangerous situation for the pet, particularly if the pet has no pet identification tag.

Naturally curious animals may roam away from the safety of their owners' homes, yards and watchful eyes. Natural disasters often separate owners from their pets. Even indoor cats who have rarely been outdoors, when startled, can find themselves in unfamiliar and frightening surroundings immediately after running from the house. Pets wandering away from home are unaware of dangers such as other animals, vehicles, and mal-intentioned people who might steal or harm a lost pet. Pets wearing identification such as pet tags or pet identification collars are more likely to be returned safely to their homes and owners.

Pet owners are their pets' protectors, and providing identification to pets is a way to not only prevent harm from befalling these beloved family members but to prevent broken hearts at home that happen when pets disappear.

Make sure that all of your pets have adequate identification, either in the form of a pet ID tag worn at all times or another form of pet identification, such as a pet ID microchip or pet identification tattoo.

Encourage friends and family members to invest in pet identification tags for all of their pets. You can do this by sharing an article on the importance of pet identification or sending a brief email to your address list telling your contacts how important you believe it is for responsible pet owners to provide ID for their pets.

Consider giving pet ID tags as gifts (either to the pets or the owners). Custom pet tags can be ordered online, through the mail, and at pet stores.

The American Humane Society sponsors an annual "Tag Day" each year to spread the word about the importance of pet ID tags. This is a great time to give pet ID gifts or raise awareness.

Distribute a flyer around your neighborhood encouraging I.D. on all pets and explain how such a system will help everyone in the community work together to help lost pets find their way home. Or, if you want to get the word out to even more people, send a letter to the editor of your local or regional newspaper encouraging fellow pet owners to I.D. their pets.