dog tag

For the television term DOG, see Digital On-screen Graphic; for the identifying tag worn by people, see dog tag (identifier).

A dog might wear several different identifying dog tags.

A dog tag, pet ID tag, or pet tag is a small flat tag worn on pets' collars or harnesses.

Humane societies and rescue organizations recommend that dogs and cats wear these tags, which contain information to enable someone encountering a stray animal to contact the owner.

Some people object to pet id tags because of the jingling noise they make as their animals move. A collar-mount tag, either slide-on or riveted-on, flat to a collar's surface, is silent and therefore avoids this problem. Other people use a tag silencer to enclose the loose tags in a small neoprene pouch or a soft rubbery plastic ring around the edge of a tag.

The resemblance of human identification tags to this method of display led to human tags being called "dog tags", such as the metal identification tags worn by members of the US military on a chain around the neck; see dog tag (identifier).

Identifying information

Identifying information on dog tags might include:

• On a license tag, the dog license number and contact information for the licensing organization
• On a pet ID tag, the pet's name, owner's phone number(s), address, or both, a reward offer, and a list of the animal's critical medical problems
• On a microchip registry tag, an identifying number for the dog with a phone number for the registry.

Some organizations recommend not putting a pet's name on an ID tag because, in an ownership dispute over a stray dog, the original owner could use the pet's name to demonstrate that the pet recognizes the name and therefore has an association with that owner. Others believe that a lost pet might feel more comfortable if strangers call it by its own name, so the name should be on the tag. Also, if a stray dog slips out of his collar, or is skittish, there is a greater chance of controlling him if his name is used.

Materials

Tags are made of a variety of materials.

Metal tags usually have their information embossed or engraved onto, or stamped into, their surface(s). The characters created by embossing or engraving are made by removing some of the tag's surface and are not typically as deep as stamped characters, which are made by stamping the tag with a metal die. Stamped tags are therefore often more durable than engraved tags, though some drag-engraving and laser-engraving methods can be as deep, or deeper, than the stamped versions.

Plastic chips can be etched or printed, come in many colors, and are often highly reflective to make the dog more visible if it gets loose and runs into the street after dark. Some plastics are sensitive to ultraviolet light and the color and even composition can fade over time. ABS plastics are among the most durable for use as pet i.d. tags.

The newest technology is now using sublimation to print images and artwork to aluminum tags. The image is permanent and resists fading and wear.

The most common metals used for pet tags of are aluminum, stainless steel, and brass. Aluminum is by far the least durable of the three. Brass is a soft metal, and not as durable as stainless steel. There are varying grades of stainless steel used for tags, but all variants are by far harder and more durably retain their lettering after wear and tear on a pet.

Aluminum tag with sublimated art.

Three Wolf Moon sublimated on aluminum pet id tag.

Effectiveness

In this age of mobile phones, pet ID tags showing a pet's owner's cell phone and/or landline numbers make it easy for someone finding a stray pet to contact the owner.

Microchip implants, tattooing, and registering the dog's license number, microchip information, and tattoo number with lost-pet registries are good backups to identify stolen pets or strays found without ID tags.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dog tags

• Ear tag
• Electronic dog collar

References

• Pet identification information
• American Humane Society pet ID info

External links

• A1 ID Systems: Manufacturer of microchip identification for animals.

• DogTagArt Unique Artist Designed Pet Id Tags

• American Humane Society's annual Tag Day

• History of Dog Licensing and Dog Tags in the USA

• Introduction to Dog Licensing and Dog Tags