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Considerable technological advances have come along since Vietnam, including the ability to use DNA to identify remains. But despite these advancements, dog tags are still issued to service members today. They’re a reminder of America’s efforts to honor all those who have served — especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We all know what dog tags are — those little oval disks on a chain that service members wear to identify themselves in combat. But have you ever wondered how and when that tradition started, and why they’re called dog tags? Each was mechanically stamped with your name, rank, service number, blood type and religion, if desired. An emergency notification name and address were initially included on these, but they were removed by the end of the war. They also included a “T” for those who had a tetanus vaccination, but by the 1950s that, too, was eliminated.The order was modified in July 1916, when a second disc was required to be suspended from the first by a short string or chain. The first tag was to remain with the body, while the second was for burial service record keeping. The tags were given to enlisted men, but officers had to buy them.According to the Army Historical Foundation, the term “dog tag” was first coined by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. In 1936, Hearst wanted to undermine support for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. He had heard the newly formed Social Security Administration was considering giving out nameplates for personal identification. According to the SSA, Hearst referred to them as “dog tags” similar to those used in the military. By the end of the Civil War, more than 40% of the Union Army’s dead were unidentified. To bring that into perspective, consider this: Of the more than 17,000 troops buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery, the largest Union cemetery in the U.S., nearly 13,000 of those graves are marked as unknown. Dog tags Dog tags hang from the Iraq/Afghanistan Dog Tag Memorial at the Museum of the Forgotten Warrior outside of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Nov. 10, 2011. The memorial was built to honor all of the men and women who have been killed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as of Oct. 30, 2011. The memorial contains 6,296 individual dog tags. Share: × Share Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Download: Full Size (1.55 MB) Photo By: Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler VIRIN: 111110-F-EO463-054M

Unofficially, identification tags came about during the Civil War because soldiers were afraid no one would be able to identify them if they died. They were terrified of being buried in unmarked graves, so they found various ways to prevent that. Some marked their clothing with stencils or pinned-on paper tags. Others used old coins or bits of round lead or copper. According to the Marine Corps, some men carved their names into chunks of wood strung around their necks. By 1969, the Army began to transition from serial numbers to Social Security numbers. That lasted about 45 years until 2015, when the Army began removing Social Security numbers from the tags and replacing them with each soldier’s Defense Department identification number. The move safeguarded soldiers’ personally identifiable information and helped protect against identity theft. Regulations have gone back and forth regarding whether the two tags should stay together or be separated. In 1959, procedure was changed to keep both dog tags with the service member if they died. But by Vietnam, it was changed back to the original regulation of taking one tag and leaving the other.Dog tags During World War I, Navy identification tags contained a fingerprint. Share: × Share Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Download: Full Size (20.48 KB) Photo By: Navy VIRIN: 200901-N-ZZ999-234

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the ID tags weren’t used in between World War I and World War II. They were reinstated in May 1941, but by then, the etching process was replaced with mechanical stamping.

Those who could afford it bought engraved metal tags from nongovernment sellers and sutlers — vendors who followed the armies during the war. Historical resources show that in 1862, a New Yorker named John Kennedy offered to make thousands of engraved disks for soldiers, but the War Department declined.Dog tags A pair of World War II U.S. military identification tags were discovered along prominent trails in Germany in July 2020. Through extensive research, the man who found the tags discovered that Army Pvt. Sammie Lee Williams enlisted on March 14, 1944, at the age of 22. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., to Germany during the war. Williams survived, returned to the U.S. and lived to be 81. Share: × Share Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Download: Full Size (1.93 MB) Photo By: Courtesy photo VIRIN: 200825-A-AB123-1002C

By World War II, military ID tags were considered an official part of the uniform and had evolved into the uniform size and shape they are today — a rounded rectangle made of nickel-copper alloy.Dog tags Replica dog tags for Medal of Honor recipient and pilot Air Force Capt. Steven L. Bennett rest on a workstation at Hurlburt Field, Fla, Aug. 29, 2019. Bennett received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while flying an artillery adjustment mission in Vietnam in June 1972. Newly printed dog tags were presented to Bennett’s daughter, Angela Bennett-Engele, after the original dog tags disappeared. Share: × Share Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Download: Full Size (1.56 MB) Photo By: Air Force Staff Sgt. Lynette Rolen VIRIN: 190829-F-DD647-1004BDuring World War II, Navy tags no longer included the fingerprint. By the war’s end, they also included the second chain that the Army had implemented decades before.

It took a few years, but in December 1906, the Army put out a general order requiring aluminum disc-shaped ID tags be worn by soldiers. The half-dollar size tags were stamped with a soldier’s name, rank, company and regiment or corps, and they were attached to a cord or chain that went around the neck. The tags were worn under the field uniform.

Other rumored origins of the nickname include World War II draftees calling them dog tags because they claimed they were treated like dogs. Another rumor said it was because the tags looked similar to the metal tag on a dog’s collar.Dog tags This dog tag belonged to Union Army Cpl. Alvin B. Williams of Company F, 11th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers. Hailing from New London, N.H., Williams enlisted on Aug. 11, 1862 at the age of 18. He was killed May 12, 1864, near Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia. Share: × Share Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Download: Full Size (399.36 KB) Photo By: Library of Congress VIRIN: 200901-O-ZZ999-056

Dog tags These original World War I dog tags belonged to Navy and Army veteran Thomas R. Darden. The tags are tied with twill rope or tape. Darden served in the Navy from 1903-1908 and in the Army as an officer from 1917 through the end of the Great War. Share: × Share Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Download: Full Size (92.16 KB) Photo By: North Carolina Museum of History VIRIN: 200901-O-ZZ999-058

The Model 70 took advantage of this fact, and was intended to rapidly print all of the information from a soldier’s dogtag directly onto medical and personnel forms, with a single squeeze of the trigger. However, this requires that the tag being inserted with the proper orientation (stamped characters facing down), and it was believed that battlefield stress could lead to errors. To force proper orientation of the tags, the tags are produced with a notch, and there is a locator tab inside the Model 70 which prevents the printer from operating if the tag is inserted with the notch in the wrong place (as it is if the tag is upside down).France issues either a metallic rounded rectangle (army) or disk (navy), designed to be broken in half, bearing family name & first name above the ID number.

On a volunteer basis Prussian soldiers had decided to wear identification tags in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. However, many rejected dog tags as a bad omen for their lives. So until eight months after the Battle of Königgrätz, with almost 8,900 Prussian casualties, only 429 of them could be identified. With the formation of the North German Confederation in 1867 Prussian military regulations became binding for the militaries of all North German member states. With the Prussian Instruktion über das Sanitätswesen der Armee im Felde (i.e., instruction on the medical corps organisation of the army afield) issued on 29 April 1869 identification tags (then called Erkennungsmarke; literally “recognition mark”) were to be handed out to each soldier before deployment afield. The Prussian Army issued identification tags for its troops at the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. They were nicknamed Hundemarken (the German equivalent of “dog tags”) and compared to a similar identification system instituted by the dog licence fee, adding tags to collars of those dogs whose owners paid the fee, in the Prussian capital city of Berlin at around the same time period. The Hungarian army dog tag is made out of steel, forming a 25×35 mm tag designed to split diagonally. Both sides contain the same information: the soldier’s personal identity code, blood group and the word HUNGARIA. Some may not have the blood group on them. These are only issued to soldiers who are serving outside of the country. If the soldier should die, one side is removed and kept for the army’s official records, while the other side is left attached to the body. In 1928, a new type of dog tag was proposed by gen. bryg. Stanisław Rouppert, Poland’s representative at the International Red Cross. It was slightly modified and adopted in 1931 under the name of Nieśmiertelnik wz. 1931 (literally “Immortalizer mark 1931”). The new design consisted of an oval piece of metal (ideally steel, but in most cases aluminum alloy was used), roughly 40 by 50 millimeters. There were two notches on both sides of the tag, as well as two rectangular holes in the middle to allow for easier breaking of the tag in two halves. The halves contained the same set of data and were identical, except the upper half had two holes for a string or twine to go through. The data stamped on the dog tag from 2008 (wz. 2008) included:

British and Empire/Commonwealth forces (Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) were issued essentially identical identification discs of basic pattern during the Great War, Second World War and Korea, though official identity discs were frequently supplemented by private-purchase items such as identity bracelets, particularly favoured by sailors who believed the official discs were unlikely to survive long immersion in water. The U.S. Army changed regulations on July 6, 1916, so that all soldiers were issued two tags: one to stay with the body and the other to go to the person in charge of the burial for record-keeping purposes. In 1918, the U.S. Army adopted and allotted the service number system, and name and service numbers were ordered stamped on the identification tags. The ID tag is landscape-oval, breakable in two halves with 4–8 manual bends. On the backside each half is 0.2 mm deep marked with “DEU” for Deutschland, the non-magnetic type on both halves and both sides with “NM”.

Manufacturers of identification badges recognized a market and began advertising in periodicals. Their pins were usually shaped to suggest a branch of service, and engraved with the soldier’s name and unit. Machine-stamped tags were also made of brass or lead with a hole and usually had (on one side) an eagle or shield, and such phrases as “War for the Union” or “Liberty, Union, and Equality”. The other side had the soldier’s name and unit, and sometimes a list of battles in which he had participated.Dog tags have found their way into youth fashion as military chic. Originally worn as a part of a military uniform by youth wishing to present a tough or militaristic image, dog tags have since reached wider fashion circles. They may be inscribed with a person’s details, beliefs or tastes, a favorite quote, or may bear the name or logo of a band or performer. The wearing of dog tags as a fashion accessory can be considered disrespectful by some military personnel.

During the Cold War, dog tags were issued to everyone, often soon after birth, since the threat of total war also meant the risk of severe civilian casualties. However, in 2010, the Government decided that the dog tags were not needed anymore.

This feature was not as useful in the field as had been hoped, however, due to adverse conditions such as weather, dirt and dust, water, etc. In addition, the Model 70 resembled a pistol, thus attracting the attention of snipers (who might assume that a man carrying a pistol was an officer). As a result, use of the Model 70 hand imprinter by field medics was rapidly abandoned (as were most of the Model 70s themselves), and eventually the specification that tags include the locator notch was removed from production orders. Existing stocks of tags were used until depleted, and in the 1960s it was not uncommon for a soldier to be issued one tag with the notch and one tag without. Notched tags are still in production, to satisfy the needs of hobbyists, film production, etc., while the Model 70 imprinter has become a rare collector’s item.

During the American Civil War from 1861–1865, some soldiers pinned paper notes with their name and home address to the backs of their coats. Other soldiers stenciled identification on their knapsacks or scratched it in the soft lead backing of their army belt buckles.

The British Army introduced identity discs in place of identity cards in 1907, in the form of aluminium discs, typically made at regimental depots using machines similar to those common at fun fairs, the details being pressed into the thin metal one letter at a time.

The Placas de identificación de campaña consists of two long, rectangular steel or aluminum tags with rounded corners and a single hole punched in one end. It is suspended by a US-type ball chain, with a shorter chain for the second tag. The information on the tag is:

The metal sheet is 0.7 mm thick, material codes X5CrNi1810 or 1.4301, weighs about 16 g. NM-variant shall consist of 1.4311 or 1.4401. Sharp edges have to be smoothed, then the plate electropolished. Mechanical deburring and ball polishing is allowed.There is a recurring myth about the notch situated in one end of the dog tags issued to United States Army personnel during World War II, and up until the Korean War era. It was rumored that the notch’s purpose was that, if a soldier found one of his comrades on the battlefield, he could take one tag to the commanding officer and stick the other between the teeth of the soldier to ensure that the tag would remain with the body and be identified.

The first dog tags were issued in Poland following the order of the General Staff of December 12, 1920. The earliest design (dubbed kapala in Polish, more properly called “kapsel legitymacyjny” – meaning “identification cap”) consisted of a tin-made 30×50 mm rectangular frame and a rectangular cap fitting into the frame. Soldiers’ details were filled in a small ID card placed inside the frame, as well as on the inside of the frame itself. The dog tag was similar to the tags used by the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I. In case the soldier died, the frame was left with his body, while the lid was returned to his unit together with a note on his death. The ID card was handed over to the chaplain or the rabbi.The British Armed Forces currently use two circular non-reflecting stainless steel tags, referred to as “ID Disks”, engraved with the following ‘Big 5’ details:

Originally the IDF issued two circular aluminum tags (1948 – late 1950s) stamped in three lines with serial number, family name, and first name. The tags were threaded together through a single hole onto a cord worn around the neck.The South Vietnamese Army and the South Vietnamese Navy used two American-style dog tags. Some tags added religion on the back, e.g., Phật Giáo for Buddhist. They were stamped or inscribed with:

During World War II, the Red Army did not issue metal dog tags to its troops. They were issued small black Bakelite cylinders containing a slip of paper with a soldier’s particulars written on it. These do not hold up as well as metal dog tags. After World War II, the Soviet Army used oval metal tags, similar to today’s dog tags of the Russian Armed forces. Each tag contains the title ВС СССР (Russian for ‘USSR Armed Forces’) and the individual’s alphanumeric number.

Dog tags are traditionally part of the makeshift battlefield memorials soldiers created for their fallen comrades. The casualty’s rifle with bayonet affixed is stood vertically atop the empty boots, with the helmet over the rifle’s stock. The dog tags hang from the rifle’s handle or trigger guard.PLA is introducing a two-dimensional matrix code on the second tag, the matrix code contains a link to the official database. This allows the inquirer get more details about the military personnel.

The Nationale Volksarmee used a tag nearly identical to that used by both the Wehrmacht and the West German Bundeswehr. The oval aluminum tag was stamped “DDR” (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) above the personal ID number; this information was repeated on the bottom half, which was intended to be broken off in case of death. Oddly, the tag was not worn (but would have been in case of war), but required to be kept in a plastic sleeve in the back of the WDA (“Wehrdienstausweis”) identity booklet. Although American dog tags currently include the recipient’s religion as a way of ensuring that religious needs will be met, some personnel have them reissued without religious affiliation listed—or keep two sets, one with the designation and one without—out of fear that identification as a member of a particular religion could increase the danger to their welfare or their lives if they fell into enemy hands. Some Jewish personnel avoided flying over German lines during WWII with ID tags that indicated their religion, and some Jewish personnel avoid the religious designation today out of concern that they could be captured by extremists who are anti-Semitic. Additionally, when American troops were first sent to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War there were allegations that some U.S. military authorities were pressuring Jewish military personnel to avoid listing their religions on their ID tags. In the Finnish Defence Forces, “tunnuslevy” or WWII term “tuntolevy” (Finnish for “Identification plate”) is made of stainless steel and designed to be broken in two; however, the only text on it is the personal identification number and the letters “FI” or “SF” in older models, which stands for Suomi Finland, within a tower stamped atop of the upper half.The military of Denmark use dog tags made from small, rectangular metal plates. The tag is designed to be broken into two pieces each with the following information stamped onto it:

In reality, the notch was used with the Model 70 Addressograph Hand Identification Imprinting Machine (a pistol-type imprinter used primarily by the Medical Department during World War II). American dogtags of the 1930s through 1980s were produced using a Graphotype machine, in which
characters are debossed into metal plates. Some tags are still debossed, using earlier equipment, and some are embossed (with raised letters) on computer-controlled equipment. The Saddam-era Iraqi Army used a single, long, rectangular metal tag with oval ends, inscribed (usually by hand) with Name and Number or Unit, and occasionally Blood Type. German Bundeswehr ID tags are an oval-shaped disc designed to be broken in half. They are made of stainless steel, 50.3 millimetres (1.98 in) height and 80 millimetres (3.1 in) width. The two sides contain different information which are mirrored upside-down on the lower half of the ID tag. They feature the following information on segmented and numbered fields:

Army Order 287 of September 1916 required the British Army provide all soldiers with two official tags, both made of vulcanised asbestos fibre (which were more comfortable to wear in hot climates) carrying identical details, again impressed one character at a time. The first tag, an octagonal green disc, was attached to a long cord around the neck. The second tag, a circular red disc, was threaded on a 6-inch cord suspended from the first tag. The first tag was intended to remain on the body for future identification, while the second tag could be taken to record the death.

Dog tags are usually fabricated from a corrosion-resistant metal. They commonly contain two copies of the information, either in the form of a single tag that can be broken in half, or as two identical tags on the same chain. This purposeful duplication allows one tag, or half-tag, to be collected from an individual’s dead body for notification, while the duplicate remains with the corpse if the conditions of battle prevent it from being immediately recovered. The term arose and became popular because of the tags’ resemblance to animal registration tags. It appears instructions that would confirm the notch’s mythical use were issued at least unofficially by the Graves Registration Service during the Vietnam War to Army troops headed overseas. Belgian Forces identity tags are, like the Canadian and Norwegian, designed to be broken in two in case of fatality; the lower half is returned to Belgian Defence tail, while the upper half remains on the body. The tags contain the following information:The South Korean army issues two long, rectangular tags with oval ends, stamped (in Korean lettering). The tags are worn on the neck with a ball chain. The tags contain the information listed below:

Canadian Forces identity discs (abbreviated “ID discs”) are designed to be broken in two in the case of fatality; the lower half is returned to National Defence Headquarters with the member’s personal documents, while the upper half remains on the body. The tags contain the following information:In the Graphotype process, commonly used commercially from the early 1900s through the 1980s, a debossing machine was used to stamp characters into metal plates; the plates could then be used to repetitively stamp such things as addresses onto paper in the same way that a typewriter functions, except that a single stroke of the printer could produce a block of text, rather than requiring each character to be printed individually. The debossing process creates durable, easily legible metal plates, well-suited for military identification tags, leading to adoption of the system by the American military. It was also realized that debossed tags can function the same way the original Graphotype plates do.Before the Service Number was introduced in the 1990s, military personnel were identified on the ID discs (as well as other documents) by their social insurance number.Dog tag is an informal but common term for a specific type of identification tag worn by military personnel. The tags’ primary use is for the identification of casualties; they have information about the individual written on them, including identification and essential basic medical information such as blood type and history of inoculations. They often indicate a religious preference as well.

The former Republic of Rhodesia used two WW2 British-style compressed asbestos fiber tags, a No. 1 octagonal (grey) tag and a No. 2 circular (red) tag, stamped with identical information. The red tag was supposedly fireproof and the grey tag rotproof. The following information was stamped on the tags: Number, Name, Initials, & Religion; Blood Type was stamped on reverse. The air force and BSAP often stamped their service on the reverse side above the blood group.The Austrian Bundesheer used a single long, rectangular tag, with oval ends, stamped with blood group & Rh factor at the end, with ID number underneath. Two slots and a hole stamped beneath allows the tag to be broken in halves, and the long bottom portion has both the ID number and a series of holes which allows the tag to be inserted into a dosimeter. This has been replaced with a more conventional, wider and rounded rectangle which can still be halved, but lacks the dosimeter reading holes.

Additionally, the right hand side of each half-tag is engraved DANMARK (Danish for ‘DENMARK’). Starting in 1985, the individual’s service number (which is the same as the social security number) is included on the tag. In case the individual dies, the lower half-tag is supposed to be collected, while the other will remain with the corpse. In the army, navy, and air force but not in the national guard, the individual’s blood type is indicated on the lower half-tag only, since this information becomes irrelevant if the individual dies. In 2009, Danish dog tags were discontinued for conscripts. Recruits are issued with 2 Dogtags (4 halves total), one remains whole and worn on a necklace, and the second is broken into its halves and placed in each military boot for the purpose of Identifying dead soldiers (IDF Military Boots contain pouches on their inner sides at the 1/3 calf height, the pouches have holes corresponding in size and placement to those on the discs, allowing for fastening, often via small cable ties). The Russian Armed Forces use oval metal tags, similar to the dog tags of the Soviet Army. Each tag contains the title ВС РОССИИ (Russian for ‘Armed Forces of Russia’) and the individual’s alphanumeric number, as shown on the photo.Dutch military identity tags, like the Canadian and Norwegian ones, are designed to be broken in two in case of a fatality; the lower end is returned to Dutch Defence Headquarters, while the upper half remains on the body.

Estonian dog tags are designed to be broken in two. The dog tag is a metallic rounded rectangle suspended by a ball chain. Information consists of four fields:

An aluminum identification tag, the size of a silver half dollar and of suitable thickness, stamped with the name, rank, company, regiment, or corps of the wearer, will be worn by each officer and enlisted man of the Army whenever the field kit is worn, the tag to be suspended from the neck, underneath the clothing, by a cord or thong passed through a small hole in the tag. It is prescribed as a part of the uniform and when not worn as directed herein will be habitually kept in the possession of the owner. The tag will be issued by the Quartermaster’s Department gratuitously to enlisted men and at cost price to officers.

Many pets are required to take daily medication and letting the person finding your pet know that, adds a sense of urgency to the return of your pet. Listing other physical conditions such as blindness or deafness is also valuable information for someone helping your pet.Yes. Every dog by the time they reach 8 weeks old must legally be microchipped. This has been the UK law since 2016 and can result in a rather hefty fine between £500 and £1,000 if it is not compiled by.

Yes. Legally your dog must wear some form of ID in public areas. There are very few dogs that this law does not apply to – these are working dogs such as police dogs or guide dogs. Your dog must wear either a collar with your name and address or an ID tag with your name and address.If they are at home and indoors then no they do not need to wear a tag or collar. However, as soon as they go onto outside ground with access to a public space they will need to wear ID be it in the form of a Tag or an Identity Collar. So if they are outside in your garden it is best that they wear a Tag or collar. You must also register your dog on a known database. If you have purchased a dog older than 8 weeks old you need to see proof of their microchip certificate and change the information to your details. Is your puppy sick or need daily medication? Does he have some medical issues or allergies that need to be addressed? It is always a smart idea to put all that information on his tag because it can save their life in emergency situations.This article will highlight the essential information that needs to be engraved over dog ID Tag, but the same set of rules are equally useful for cats as well. But the current UK laws mainly focus on dog tags, and we will continue our discussion in the same context. People who’ve once lost their beloved pup know the importance of Pet ID Tags which not only serves for identification purpose but also makes your fur child look more adorable. Some believe that the technology can help in case if their beloved dog or cat gets lost but even the microchips can’t work sometimes and cannot be considered as a durable solution. That’s why the old-school method is still considered as functional and effective. Yes, we are talking about pet identification tags. If you still think that a microchip is enough for your pup’s protection, think twice! And here is the reason why? The UK law bounds every dog owner to put the house name, number or postal code on their dog collar and the dog should wear that whenever he is away from home. And in case you lose your puppy anywhere near home, the neighbourhood can help to get it back to you without any significant cost. Also, don’t forget to update the house address in case you move to a new house otherwise the old, useless house address will not help in case of any such emergency.

By putting your cell or telephone number on dog ID tag, is the shortest possible way to get informed and contacted in an event a stranger finds your lost pet. But please make sure that the number you provided is up-to-date and reachable. And if you work in an environment where you are not contactable all the time, it’s a good idea to provide the number of a close family member or friend who may inform you immediately when things go wrong.Dogs may also like and dislike certain things the same as humans. Some may show aggressive behaviour towards cats or don’t want to hang around with kids. All such personality traits are pretty normal, and there is nothing to worry about. But writing your buddy’s personality quirks on their tags can help the finder to be careful regarding certain things.

Engraving the dog’s name on ID tag is not necessary, but you need to add your family surname according to the Dog Control Act 1992. It will make the whole process easy because the person who finds the lost pet first call you at the number provided on the tag and it would be easy for him to communicate and tell you about the whole situation accurately. Also, its entirely a matter of your choice that whether you want to add the surname only or your complete name because some people don’t want to share that much private information with strangers.

We know that nothing is more important for you than getting the lost family member back but there are some factors which can make their return difficult or impossible in some cases. Writing their name on ID tag is one of them. Moreover, don’t get too far in the love of your pet that it may harm your own security by providing your complete home address and other credentials which can be useful for scammers. We’ve already discussed that why having a tag is so important for your dog, but there are some legal acts as well. If you are a dog parent or cat parent, you need to tag them as law forces you to do so. The UK Control of Dog act 1992 was made for the protection and safety of pets. According to this law, a dog owner must provide his dog with an ID tag engraved with all the essential information which could be useful in case the dog gets lost. So, you need to put the following information on the tag: I was once advised by a vet that I should write on my dog ID that he is sick (even if he is not!). According to the vet, this sentence can be a real game changer and reduces to chances of dog theft or other similar activities because no one wants to keep a sick dog and they will try to return that to the real owner in shortest possible time. These are the views of a vet that how to prevent dog theft.Although it’s charming because he would be able to tell others about his identity, but this act can help dog thieves to keep and resell them easily. The buyer will trust because the dog will show response upon calling by his name. It is especially the case with friendlier dogs. That’s why it is always recommended not to put your pet’s name on their tags to avoid possible chances of dog theft.The more is always better especially when your pooch is expert at escaping. Apart from government legislation, we can put a lot of additional information if there is some room available on the tag or else multiple tags can be used which will also make your fur buddy look charming.

Though none of us can imagine losing our pet but think for a second if that happens, and your pet is only microchipped and not having an ID tag, what are the chances that the person who finds them will look for the microchip? Of course, he will not be having a chip scanner in hands to do that immediately, and the first thing he will do is to look for an identification tag or collar. That’s the importance of tags. We are not against the technology, but the researches show that the tags and chips collectively increase the probability of getting your lost furry family member back at home!Description: A complete guide about what to write on pet tags to get them back in case you lost them. The UK law bounds every dog owner to put their contact number, house number/ postal code and their family surname on dog ID tag. But for the sake of additional care, you can add more helpful information such as the dog’s medical history and personality traits on their tags. Another important fact is that even dogs with a microchip need to be tagged to avoid any in inconvenience the future.Adding multiple phone numbers is a great idea because sometimes a single cell number is not enough. There is no doubt that people want to help, but very few will board your lost pup when the only contact number you provided is not contactable right away. It increases the chances that your little puppy will be left to roam on the streets once again.

You just need some red and white felt for this tutorial, as well as your trust glue gun and some ribbon. Now tell me this isn’t the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.

Alternatively, if your dog doesn’t like being weighed down by additional “bling,” a personalized collar is always a great option. With the clear, personalized text and durable hardware, your dog will not only look stylish but you’ll feel great knowing that your pup is safe.

If there’s one piece of equipment that’s an absolute necessity for your dog, it’s a pet identification (ID) tag. We each fervently hope that our dog will never make a break for it at the front door or slip his leash, but if that happens, an ID dog tag is one of the surest ways to get him home safely. Choose from several different styles, each with its own advantages:

Want something a little different? These adorable dog tags, designed to look like license plates, look just like the real thing. One side displays your state’s license plate with your dog’s name. The other side has room for your dog’s photo and important contact information.If you’re looking for something artisanal, you can’t go wrong with these etched-brass ID tags. Each is handmade, and you can choose the font and the text. You can even add a color patina for an extra charge.

You can still take advantage of the benefits of a slide-on tag with this stainless steel ID tag, even if your dog wears an adjustable nylon collar. Quiet and durable, it fits up to five lines of text.Most dog tags for pets have room for four lines of text, and some have room on the back, as well. So, what should be included in the best dog tags? For starters, your dog’s name. Most important is a phone number where you can be reached. Keep in mind that you may be out searching for your lost pup, so a cell phone number probably makes the most sense. Some dog owners also include their own name and a street address. If there’s room, you can include additional information, such as whether your dog is microchipped or any urgent medical information.

AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.With so many shapes and colors to choose from, you may have a hard time deciding which of these tags you want. And, at the price, you can select several.

• Tags are noisy. While this is a legitimate concern, there are ways around it. Try “tag silencers,” which are plastic pieces that go around the tag to minimize sound. You could also try laminating the tags.

Wearing identification will also make your dog more approachable to strangers. It indicates your dog is not a roaming stray, which may spur someone to take protective action.

While microchipping your pets is certainly advisable, a good old-fashioned ID tag is a faster and more convenient way for people to contact you. In order to access the chip, your dog would need to be brought to a vet clinic or a shelter, and—let’s face it—some people just won’t bother with the hassle.

Of course, you won’t be able to include all of these items in the few lines you have to work with. Take what’s applicable to your situation and customize your dog’s tag to make it work for you.