Is the Microchip Enough?

I believe now more than ever that our dogs should be wearing collars with an ID tag. With the “installation” of the microchip, some people don’t see the need for a collar since there dog can be traced back to them.

The microchip is only good if the person who finds your dog takes it to the shelter or a veterinarian to see if it has the chip and where the dog belongs. They aren’t always available. It’s not a GPS device (although I hear that’s available).

On the 4th of July, I witnessed first hand the need for an ID tag. A friend and I tried to stop traffic for a dog in the road (obviously old and disoriented) as a car hit him. That was horrible – beyond horrible. As we held him to keep him calm awaiting the arrival of Animal Control, I kept feeling for a collar like one would magically appear.

I wanted to know his name. I think it would have been comforting to the dog to hear his name. If not, we would have found comfort in it.

If you prefer that your dog be a nudist, then consider putting on a collar with an ID tag when you aren’t at home and they are in someone else’s care or when taken off leash for a hike. Another important time is on Holidays where sounds like fireworks may upset them and they may run away.

You will learn of your dog’s escape (hopefully nothing more) much quicker with a collar and tag. And, if you have a breed of dog that someone might consider keeping, a collar personalizes the dog and the finder will know that the dog is someone’s pet.

This is an easy and inexpensive way to be responsible and perhaps save your dog.