It’s estimated that one in three pets will become lost at some point in their lifetime and, tragically, some of these lost pets may not ever find their way home. Identification can mean the difference between life and death for your best friend.

So attention pet owners, because it’s National Pet ID Week! National Pet ID Week, taking place April 17- April 23, is an opportunity to ensure your pet is equipped with ID tags and/or microchips to maximize the chance of their safe return if they stray from home or are lost on vacation. Dogs and cats brought to animal shelters without ID are much less likely to be reunited with their family and as a pet owner, it is critical that you take all necessary precautions to protect your furry companion.

We provide the following tips to help keep your pet safe:

• Make sure your pet always wears a collar with a current ID tag, rabies tag and city/county license (where applicable).
• Include a contact name, address and phone number on all ID tags.
• Keep your pet’s licenses, ID tag and microchip current – make sure to update the tag if you change your address or phone number.
• If you are traveling, put a temporary tag on your pet with the contact information of someone who knows how to reach you.
• Tag your cats even if you never let them outside. They could slip through an open door and quickly become lost in the neighborhood.
• Take the added security precaution of having your pet microchipped. Microchipping provides an additional layer of protection in the event the pet’s collar and tag fall off or are removed, and nearly all animal shelters across the country routinely scan every animal upon intake for the presence of a microchip.

In honor of National Pet ID Week, some organizations – such as Pet Supplies Plus – are offering discounted microchipping services and name identification tags, so there’s no excuse not to get it done! We recommend your pet has at least one form of identification, but preferably two.

Losing a pet can be absolutely devastating, but you can rest assured that pets with ID tags and microchips are much more likely to find their way back home. Follow our critical tips and keep your family together.