Imagine being lost in a completely unfamiliar setting with no way to introduce yourself or tell helpful strangers where you’re trying to go… Sounds like a nightmare, right? That’s what it’s like for a lost pet without proper identification. It’s an unfortunate fact that 1 out of 3 pets will get lost in their lifetime and only 2% of cats and 20% of dogs get reunited with their families, primarily because they had some form of ID. April 16-22 marks National Pet ID Week, an attempt to bring awareness to the importance of identifying your pet and where they belong should they ever become separated from your family.

For us, ID tags and/or microchips are among the basics of responsible pet ownership – they should really be non-negotiable. Not only do they vastly increase the chances of your buddy coming home, but it’s an immediate sign to whomever’s helping them that this pet is loved and has a family looking for them (which, hopefully, deters them from adopting them as their own.) The two main ways of identifying your pal are good ol’ fashioned tags and a collar and microchipping, which is painless and permanent. In our minds there’s no such things as overdoing it when it comes to claiming your companion, so we suggest doing both, just in case the tags or collar fall off while your pet is lost. Lost pet incidents are unexpected accidents, making it important to keep your pet’s collar on at all times, not just when you’re out of the house on walks or errands – you just never know when someone will accidentally leave the door or gate open.

This week, make it a point to check that your pet’s tags are up-to-date and securely fastened onto their collar; if your pet’s chipped but not registered, this is the week to register them or make sure all the necessary fees are paid and info is updated.  It’s such a small thing that makes an enormous difference in the event of a lost pet. Why wouldn’t you give your pal the best possible chance to come home where they belong?

Has your pet been lost and found? Tell us your story.