Greetings!

To me, providing proper identification is a part of responsible dog ownership. There are many options to help ensure your dog's safe return, such as microchips and GPS tracking devices, but even a simple, inexpensive tag on a collar can make all the difference in reuniting you with your canine companion. Only 12 to 15 percent of lost dogs are returned to their owners, according to the National Council of Pet Population Study and Policy. The majority of the dogs who made their way home had some form of identification.

Licensing is another important part of keeping your dog safe and being a good citizen. Pet licenses help us to keep track of how many animals there are, enabling us to better cope with the pet overpopulation problem. In many areas, the money from licensing goes straight to shelters, animal cruelty investigations, spay/neuter programs, and other animal-related services. In return, your dog receives the help of those services if he is lost. In many areas, dogs with a license are returned directly to their owners, rather than making a trip to the shelter first. And if they do make their way to the shelter, they are held longer to give you more time to find them and provided with emergency medical treatment if necessary.

National Pet ID Week starts today. In honor of this event, I encourage you to consider your dog's ID. Are you complying with local laws? Do you want to utilize an additional form of identification? Is your dog's microchip compatible with local shelters and rescues?

Stay calm and assertive!

Cesar Millan