Many people don't like the thoughts and bad dreams of their furry friends getting lost or stolen. But with statistics showing high rates of dogs going missing while on walks and at home, it's good to face the reality that your companion can be the next victim and start thinking about how to secure him.
You can do this by getting your dog super-strong leashes, harnesses, collars and fences. But make sure you have reactive measures in place if the preventive measures fail. One of the best reactive measures is to make sure your dog has an ID tag. Here are some of the benefits of having your dog name and number on your dog collar.
Benefits of Having Your Dog Name and Number on Your Dog Collar
According to Akaanksha, a researcher and assistant psychologist at the U.K. NHS Foundation, the emotional turmoil of losing a dog is the same as that of losing a child—and as dog owners, we can all agree with this research. Maybe it's because dogs are the most loyal and affectionate friends.
When the dog is lost or stolen, you feel grieved, hopeless, and powerless, and you don't know where to start. At the same time, the number of reports of dogs getting lost or stolen is on the increase. The good news is that there are chances of reuniting with your furry friend by having your dog's name and number on the dog collar. Here are the benefits of this simple move.
There Are High Chances of the Dog Returning If It Gets Lost
There is a whole new disaster in Canada: dogs getting lost. The dog just wanders off from the compound or when you're on walks, not accidents or theft. Maybe you are hiking, the dog spots a squirrel, chases it, and never comes back.
Or, your compound fencing is not secure enough, the dog breaks and wanders off. If this happens during work hours, you'll probably discover your dog is lost too late when the dog is miles away from home.
According to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, over one million pets get lost annually in Canada alone. You can imagine how many get lost worldwide then. Statistics show that most dogs get lost during summers.
Probably, it's because summer heat cooks up all sorts of scents, from yummy BBQs to mysterious critters, taking your dog's nose into overdrive. PetRadar analysis shows a shocking 120% increase in dogs getting lost during the July and August months.
In fact, the United States and Canada is observing July as a National Lost Pet Prevention Month to sensitize dog owners on how to prevent dogs from getting lost during summers. With all these shocking statistics, we can conclude that no one's dog is safe from getting lost.
The good news is that a lost dog doesn't mean it has gone into a vacuum or flown into space. It's likely it's roaming around in the neighborhood, and someone will find it. That's where a collar with the dog's name and number comes in.
The dog name puts the finders on the right side with the dog. They'll know the name to call your dog by voice, and that way, they can create friendships with the dog in the meantime. Some people prefer adding the home address so the finder can return the dog home. But a phone number works best.
Remember, you're solely relying on the goodness of the finders. Don't try to push their generosity too far. They might not be willing to commune to your home. Sometimes, you're even at your workplace and won't find someone home. For the phone number, they will just make a call, and you'll know where to find your dog.
Minimizes the Chances of Theft
Theft is a whole different thing, and yeah, it happens. It can be outright theft or a dog getting lost and ending up in the wrong hands. Imagine an expensive dog breed, such as a $1,600 Miniature Bull Terrier, getting lost and ending up in the hands of a person longing to own a dog.
That's when the Opportunity Makes the Thief saying comes true. The shocking statistic is that 70% of animals stolen in Canada are dogs. In 2020 alone, more than 2,000 dogs were stolen. The dog scammer industry is also blooming, with people losing over $300,000 from sales of stolen puppies.
In fact, the rise of dog theft in Canada has resulted in mind-blowing changes, such as making the 14th of February not only a Valentine's Day but also a Pet Theft Awareness Day. However, since most of these thieves steal out of opportunities rather than premeditation, they have a great fear of getting caught. That's where a collar with the dog's name and number wins.
For instance, if you're in a dog park and your dog wanders off, an opportunistic thief might be tempted to steal the dog. However, the fear of getting caught flat footed trying to remove the dog's collar is enough of a deterrent. At the same time, the thief won't be willing to walk away with the dog's ID tag showing the owner's details.
Gives You Peace of Mind
There are two things about a missing dog. One is the actual thing of the dog getting lost or stolen, and the other is the fear of uncertainties—and never underestimate the latter. In fact, the propelling power behind the blooming insurance industry is the fear of uncertainties.
That's why you'll have people paying for comprehensive insurance covers for years, without counting the loss of premiums if the car never gets involved in an accident. The same applies for dog owners, especially new ones and those owning expensive breeds.
Imagine you've just bought a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog for a whopping $50,000. You might even start having bad dreams of your dog getting lost or stolen. Collars with a dog name and number act like an insurance cover.
That doesn't mean you don't need an insurance cover. Not at all. After all, a collar won't compensate you. But with the dog's name and number on the collar, you have confidence you have deterred opportunistic thieves, and in case the dog gets lost, finders can reach you.
It Makes It Easier to Interact With Strangers
People do lots of research, and one of the interesting findings is that Canada tops the list of countries for introverts to live and work in. Maybe it's because most Canadians are polite and don't bother folks compared to the extroverted Americans.
Regardless, it goes without saying that a good section of dog owners in Canada are introverts. A collar with a dog name and number is a great conversation starter for introverts. For instance, if you're in the dog park and want to start a conversation with a stranger, you can start by calling the person's dog by its name.
Alternatively, you can pick the person's contact information, introduce yourself, and chat online later. The same applies when introverted persons want to start a conversation with you. They can pick up your contact information and reach out to you later.
Different Ways to Have Your Dog Name and Number on Your Dog Collar
Having your dog name and number on the dog collar is one thing, and how to do it is a whole different thing. It can range from attaching an ID tag on the collar to hiding digital ID tags in collar and harness pockets. Here are the common ways to do it.
Removable ID Tags
Technology is good, but that doesn't mean it can't fail. For example, if your dog got lost while wearing a GPS collar for geo-fencing, the backup option should not be heavily relying on technology. That's why it's advisable to keep everything simple using removable ID tags.
The dog's name and number are engraved on the tag, not the collar itself. You then attach the tag to the collar using a split ring. These ID tags are the best option if you frequently change your furry friend's collar, because you simply detach and reattach.
For example, you attach the tag on the training collar during the training session, remove and attach it to the normal collar during walks and hikes, and remove and attach it to the GPS collar when leaving the dog alone with geo-fencing collars.
The only issue is that hanging ID tags can be noisy when the dog moves. For instance, imagine a hanging stainless steel ID tag crashing against a ceramic bowl when the dog is eating.
Engraved Collars
Engraved collars have the dog's name and number permanently engraved in the collar, just like a logo. Unlike removable ID tags that are made of plastic or stainless steel, the engraved information is usually part of the collar fabric, such as leather or nylon webbing.
The advantage of this design compared to the removable ID tags is that thieves have to remove the collar itself to get rid of the information. Usually, this is not easy since the dog is still nervous or aggressive toward strangers. Another thing is there are no hanging accessories, so there is noise.
Since there is lots of space to write on, it's even possible to add additional information such as whether the dog has an underlying medical condition or it's prone to certain allergies. In short, you can personalize the information the way you want.
The downside is that the information is part of the collar, so you still need a removable ID tag if you frequently change collars.
Digital ID Tags
As the name suggests, digital ID tags use technology instead of physical printing of the dog's name and number. The most common technologies are QR codes and NFC chips. The finders just scan the QR code using a smartphone, and a webpage that contains the owner's information will open.
The biggest advantage of digital ID tags is that the web page can contain lots of information compared to the limited information you can print on a physical ID tag. For example, the page can contain the dog's name, owner's name, phone number, secondary phone number, home address, email address, and special details such as the dog's medical conditions.
Since the information is stored on cloud, it's easier to update the information, such as phone number or home address. For traditional ID tags, a change in phone number means complete replacement.
The only downside is that the finders need to go an extra mile to scan the code, open the webpage and contact you. That's basically stretching their goodness too far compared to traditional ID tags.
Final Thoughts
Any dog can get lost or stolen, regardless of its level of intelligence, loyalty to the owner or level of aggressiveness. This can happen at home, during walks, on dog parks or adventures. However, making sure the dog's collar has its name and your number increases the chances of reuniting with your dog. Finders will just contact you, and you go pick your furry friend.