PET IDENTIFICATION 101
LOST PET RETRIEVAL 101
The Pros and Cons of Various ID Methods
Avail yourself of my knowledge.
Go directly to my Best Pet Identification Method recommendation
MICROCHIPS:
In my opinion, every pet should have a microchip. However, it would be a mistake to assume that a microchip alone is enough and that an ID tag is not needed. Microchips are a form of identification used as a last resort—they can go undiscovered for days, weeks, or even years.
Every hour a beloved pet is missing is an hour filled with anxiety, worry, and heartache. On the other hand, if your pet is wearing an ID tag with legible contact information, you’re much more likely to receive a call as soon as someone finds them.
PET REGISTRATION SERVICES:
This method of ID(ing) your pet has some advantages, the main one being that you can list a lot of information with the service. This method depends on an ID tag being on the pet’s collar with the service’s phone number and an ID number.
The finder calls the number, and the registration company looks up the owner’s contact information and any other helpful details, such as medical information or alternate phone numbers.
The main considerations here are:
(1) The quality of the tag the registration company issues — is it durable and long-lasting?
(2) The method is “circuitous” — the finder calls the registration service, and they then contact the owner of the lost pet.
QR CODE TAGS:
Basically a kind of pet registration service. The finder of a lost pet scans the QR Code and gets all the pet’s information. What’s to dislike?
I have a hard time believing that a QR Code on a pet’s tag will remain readable over time. These codes are complex — if one small part gets scratched or chipped, will it still scan properly?
Have we reached the point where typing 10 digits into a phone is too much trouble? The choice is yours, but I personally would not rely on a QR Code tag for my pet’s safe return.
EMBROIDERED COLLARS:
A good ID method. The only drawback some users report is that, over time, the threads wear off, making the information unreadable.
By contrast, the information on one of our CollarTags™ never becomes unreadable. A CollarTag™ can also be transferred to a new collar when the original wears out — making it a better long-term choice.
ALUMINUM TAGS:
The advantage? They’re inexpensive — but as the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.”
I experimented with aluminum tags decades ago and chose not to offer them to my customers. This because it was clear to me that a tag made of aluminum would not hold up over time. Aluminum is an excellent metal for soda and beer cans, but it is far too soft for your Pet’s ID Tag.
An aluminum tag will likely become unreadable in less than a year and can even discolor light-colored fur. The two photos below should tell you all you need to know about the durability of aluminum tags.
BRASS ID TAGS:
Perhaps a little more durable than a tag made of aluminum, but brass is also a soft metal that will not stand the test of time. Some pet owners think they want a brass ID tag, but once they have one, they discover the failings:
Pet ID Tags made of brass quickly wear out, tarnish, and become unreadable.
STAINLESS STEEL ID TAGS:
Hands down the best metal choice for a traditional hanging Pet ID Tag. But be sure the stainless steel tag you choose is made of non-magnetic, surgical-grade stainless steel.
If the tag is magnetic, it contains too much iron and will rust and corrode over time. Also, if your contact information is not actually engraved / if your contact information is etched using a laser marking method it will soon become unreadable, and a Pet ID Tag that is unreadable will not allow your lost pet’s finder to contact you…
You can order our engraved non-magnetic stainless tags here.
PLASTIC PET ID TAGS:
Believe it or not, a well-made plastic tag will outlast tags made of brass or aluminum tags by years. What makes a quality plastic pet ID tag?
The tag must have a stainless steel eyelet in the attaching hole, and the plastic must be durable—strong enough not to be able to snap in half with human hands. Also, the contact info must be engraved, not printed. Engraving carves the text into the plastic, making it permanent.
Sadly, many companies have produced cheap versions—breakable plastic or tags with printed text that wears off—giving plastic tags a bad name. But not all plastic tags are junk.
Many of our customers leave 5-star reviews on TrustPilot, saying our E-Z Read Plastic Tags lasted the entire life of their pet.
You can order our E-Z Read Pet ID Tags on this page.
See our CollarTags selection here. We almost certainly have a style and size that will work on the collar your pet wears.
CONCLUSION:
Your lost pet can’t tell its finder how to “phone home.” On the day your beloved pet goes missing, “the light bulb will come on.” On that day you will have but one concern,
“Will the finder of my lost pet be able to contact me?”
If your pet has a CollarTag™ on its collar — a tag that is UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED to last the life of your pet — the answer will be a clear and confident: YES! And on that day that is all that will matter to you.
“I have used BoomerangTag’s CollarTag to ID my pets for the last 25 years. These tags are the only tags I will ever use, because they never wear out and last the lifetime of my dogs.”
~ Denise B.
The above is just one of thousands of 5-star reviews left on TrustPilot.
Still not convinced? Watch our video on YouTube: Lost Pet Retrieval 101
