We all carry some form of identification but does your pet? If not, they should be!

Every day pets go missing. Sadly, it is the lack of identification that prevents pets from being returned to their owners. As a responsible pet owner you have several options available in order to ensure the safe return of your beloved friend should they go missing.

The three most common forms of identifying your pets are tags, tattoos and microchips. Tags are most often found on dogs in the form of either a dog license and/or a rabies tag. Both tags contain numbers that allow your pet to be traced. As there is no requirement for cats to be registered thus cats wearing tags aren't as common. However, some SPCA's offer a cat registry program. For little more than a couple of dollars you can purchase a reflective collar complete with a identification number. Should your cat be picked up, the SPCA can quickly trace it back to the rightful owner.

Tattoos have been a viable form of identification for many years now. This simple, permanent method of identification allows your pet to be traced to the animal hospital that performed the tattoo. The hospital then searches their computers for the owners, and providing that the information they have is current, is able to return the pet.

Microchips can be injected under the skin and the information it contains read by a scanner, then traced to a worldwide tracking service. In addition, these microchips allow you to add additional information with respect to your pet that may be of importance should your pet be found injured.

While any one of the three forms of identification will work, the use of all three would be ideal. Remember, please be responsible and ensure your pets safety.