National Pet Week is always the first full week of May. It’s a time to celebrate the joys of our pets and to show them how much we care. Pets are a life-long commitment. Beyond preventive health care such as annual exams, dental care, and vaccinations, take a look at your dog or cat’s neck this spring.

No you’re not looking for lumps, bumps, or bald patches. You’re looking for an appropriate collar and proper identification. It is your basic, front-line defense in protecting your pet in case he or she gets lost or injured. It is a simple and inexpensive way to demonstrate your love for your pet.

Literally thousands of "stray" pets are never reunited with their owners after being lost simply because the owner is unknown or the identification on the pet is out of date. Even worse, many pets are fatally injured and the owners never know for sure because there wasn’t any identification on the animal.

Pet Identification Tips

In addition to a current rabies tag, all pets should wear a tag with the owner’s name, address, and phone number. Be sure to check with your local animal control agency for community-specific rules on licensing as well.

• If you travel with your pet, be sure to put a temporary tag with the local address on it in case you and your pet are separated away from home.
• If you’ve moved recently, take the time to purchase new ID tags for your pet and call your veterinarian to update your address for their files as well.
• Use "O" rings rather than "S" clasps to attach tags to your pet’s collar. They are less likely to come off.