Losing a pet is every pet parent’s worst nightmare. Do everything to keep a dog safe at home. Set up gates, fence in the yard, and use a leash while out for walks. No matter how many precautions pet parents may take, one day, their dog can always slip out of reach and disappear.

Technology has come a long way in helping to reunite worried pet parents with their lost dogs. Microchips, social media, and even dog-finding apps all make it easier to get Fido home where he belongs. Even with this technology, a dog collar equipped with a personalized dog tag is critical. 

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What Should You Put on a Dog Tag?

Here’s what to put on a dog tag that can help keep a lost dog safe and get him home quickly. 

Name

One of the first pieces of information to put on a dog tag is the dog’s name. Should a person find a lost dog, they’ll know what to call them. It can also help the person locate the dog’s family if they search missing pet sites.

If a pet has an Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter or other social media account, using their handle name on a pet tag can also be a fast way to reconnect a lost pet with their pet parent. DMs are always open if a pet gets lost. 

City

Pet parents don’t have to put their full address on the tag. In fact, it could be unsafe to do so. Just the city should be enough, as it can help a well-intentioned person narrow down their search to reunite the pet with their family. For privacy and safety reasons, pet parents may want to avoid putting a phone number on the tag and instead opt for an email address, Instagram handle, or other less personal method for contact. This is especially important if the pet is not microchipped.

Microchip Number

While a phone number isn’t necessary, a microchip number can be helpful. All pet parents are encouraged to get their dogs chipped. At the very least, a note stating the dog has a chip should be included. Anyone who finds the dog can take them to the vet, shelter, or rescue group and let the office scan for the home address and phone number. 

Medical Needs

For a dog with medical needs, medications may be vital for keeping them healthy. Missing doses could spell disaster. Adding a line that states the dog has special medical needs can create a sense of urgency to get them home fast. If the dog is blind or deaf, this information can also be helpful. 

A Personalized Message

A personalized message like “If I’m alone, I’m lost” or “not all who wander are lost, but I am” are cute, and they add a nice touch that lets someone know the dog has a family. Pet parents can find options that have all kinds of messages like these almost anywhere they can purchase a tag. 

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How Can You Help Your Lost Dog Find Home Safely?

As careful as most pet parents are, dogs are quick. They might see a rabbit—or even a leaf tumbling across the grass—and take off after it. Suddenly they’re out of sight, and no amount of calling beckons them home. While dog training can help to curtail some of a dog’s propensity to run off, sometimes, curiosity gets the better of him. 

A dog tag is inexpensive, customizable, and accessible. It provides the essential information a person needs to help get a lost dog home quickly and safely. There are only a few lines, so pick the most pertinent information and get the pup a personalized tag for their collar.