Our experts here worked diligently for months, trying to teach our dogs to text. If they were ever to get lost, they could just whip out their doggie cell phones and send you a text. We tried classroom training so that the dogs could be in a social setting.
Are you getting this Frank? I don't have a clue what's going on.
We tried one-on-one training, and still no luck. They just couldn't quite get the hang of the keyboards. Maybe if they had thumbs, we'd have better luck.
Yeah, I don't think this thing is reading my paw print.
So what would would be an easy way to help people get their pets back if they got lost? Well, licensing, of course! Seriously, having your dog licensed is incredibly important, even if he never leaves your property. There is always a chance that he could get loose. Here are some very important reasons for licensing your pet:
A license drastically improves your chances of getting back a lost pet.
A license tag helps animal control and shelters quickly identify your dog and get him back to you safely. If your dog is found wandering the streets, a rescue organization can easily look up your dog via its license identifying number. The important thing to remember is that you must update your contact information with the licensing office if you move so that the information is kept current.
Many dog owners wonder whether they still need to have their dogs licensed if they already carry a microchip. Microchips are injected under your dog’s skin so they are not visible to the eye – if someone finds your dog, they must take the dog to a shelter or vet to have the chip scanned. A dog license is a faster, easier way to find the contact information for the owner of a lost pet. It is also possible (though uncommon) for microchips to go undetected.
Licensing lets people know that your dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations.
One of the major goals for dog licensing requirements is to prevent the spread of rabies. Not only can rabies affect your dog, but it can be transmitted to humans as well and it is an incredibly serious and often deadly virus. If your pet is loose and bites another animal or person, a license can save its life.
It shows that the dog has an owner and is current on his rabies vaccine. A dog cannot be licensed unless it is properly vaccinated. Animal control or a Good Samaritan will be much more likely to want to handle and care for your missing pup if they know that it is healthy and sans rabies.
License fees support the efforts of many local animal shelters.
The annual fee that you pay to license your dog helps to keep shelters running and supports the work of your local animal control. By paying to properly ID your dog, you are helping to feed and house stray dogs found on the streets within your city.
It's the law.
It's mandatory that dog owners have their pets licensed. If you get caught without a license, which can and does happen, you could receive a hefty fine.
So save yourself some trouble and heartache by getting your pet licensed. If your dog's license has expired or if you've never licensed him, take advantage of our License Amnesty Program during the month of June. All late fees and penalties are waived.
And keep watching our website or Facebook page for more information on License Amnesty. Get more information on our website on how to license your pet too!