affurmation.com

Tattoos

The first thing most people think of when it comes to a tattoo is probably maybe a girlfriend’s name or a butterfly, something they’ve seen on a person. But tattooing is a legitimate form of permanent identification in pets, usually dogs.

While it is kind of neat to try and think what type of tattoo your dog might choose (Ricochet would have something like a skull with flames coming out of it, while Malarky would have a smiley face!), tattoos used for identification are made of numbers and letters. What numbers and letters is usually up to you. Some registries recommend using your social security number since it is unique to you, others provide you with a number. Another option is the dog’s registration number if it is registered with a kennel club. Two of my dogs are tattooed with a lifetime dog license number that is available for dog owners in Pennsylvania.

Tattoos are typically applied to the inside of a dog’s rear leg or up a bit on the abdomen.

Pros

- A tattoo is something that makes your dog unique. Many breeds look alike, such as a black lab. Having a tattoo gives you something to prove that is your dog.

- A tattoo is a visible form of identification if someone knows to look for a tattoo or happens to see it when your dog rolls over.

- Research labs can not accept any animals that come in with a tattoo (scary to think labs may be using stray dogs).

- In many areas, you can find someone who has been trained to tattoo pets, often groomers or pet store employees. This can make the cost reasonable, especially for those with multiple pets.

- At least in Pennsylvania, the tattoo can be part of the lifetime dog license. The number can then be registered with a registry that will accept any type of number. In our area, the local shelter has access to the dog license database so they are able to look up dog license tattoos on stray dogs.

Cons

- Hair can grow over the tattoo, making it invisible.

- Tattoos applied as a puppy can stretch and fade as the dog grows.

- Many people are not familiar with tattoos as a form of identification on dogs, so won’t look to see if the found dog has one.

- Dogs who are very frightened or aggressive may be difficult for someone to roll over to look for a tattoo, so someone might not even try to look for a tattoo if there is chance they will get bit.

- Often vet hospitals require your pet to be sedated if they tattoo it.

- The tattoo will not be much help if it is not registered somewhere.

Some things to help make a tattoo work for your dog-

Check it periodically. If hair has grown over it, clip the hair short to make it more visible. If it has stretched and faded, have it touched up.

Register it with a well known registry. With so many different registries out there, it can be impossible for animal shelters to have all their names and numbers, so choose one that it more well known. Better yet, call your local shelter and see what registries they contact when a lost pet comes in with a tattoo.

Some of the more well known registries are

The National Dog Registry
Tattoo-A-Pet
AKC Companion Animal Recovery

For more in the “Microchip, tattoo, tag…Oh, my” post series, read Part 1, Part 3 and Part 4.