As microchipping is a legal obligation for owning a dog in the UK, it may appear that ID tags are not as important as they once were. However, dog ID tags are still a legal requirement and with fireworks season just around the corner, it’s particularly important to make sure your dog has a tag. Let’s take a look at what the law says about dog ID tags and the reasons why tags are so vital for keeping your pet safe.

What are the legal requirements for dog ID tags?

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that dogs must wear a collar with the owner’s name, address and postcode written on it, engraved on it or engraved on an attached tag. The law came into place long before microchipping became compulsory and was designed to help lost dogs easily find their way back to their owner. Despite microchipping now being a legal requirement, dog ID tags are still necessary. Microchip readers are needed to identify a lost dog’s details via its chip, but few people have access to these. When a dog has an ID tag, members of the public can identify a lost dog’s owner and reunite them more quickly.

What information should be included on a dog tag?

The law states that a dog owner’s name, address and postcode must be included on a collar or tag. To save space on small tags, the address can be limited to the house number and the postcode. Many people also like to include their telephone number so that they can be contacted easily should their pet be found, but this isn’t a legal requirement. It can also be useful to include a statement that says “I am chipped” in case the dog is picked up by authorities who have microchip readers to hand. However, this may be redundant since most dogs are microchipped due to legal requirements and scanning for chips has become standard.

Should the dog’s name be included on the ID tag?

It isn’t legally necessary to include the dog’s name on its ID tag. If the name is on the tag, there’s a risk that thieves might use it to call the dog away from its owner while it is off-lead on a walk. Thieves who find a lost dog may also use the dog’s name to claim it as their own. There are rarely any benefits to having the dog’s name on the tag so many feel it’s safer not to include it.

Why are dog ID tags so important during firework season?

The noisy fireworks season can leave dogs scared and stressed. It’s wise to walk dogs during daylight hours to minimise their exposure to loud bangs, but sometimes people set fireworks off before sunset and this can spook dogs into running away. When your dog has an ID tag, they’re more likely to be reunited with you quickly so you can get them home to their safe, familiar environment as soon as possible.

Don’t forget to stock up on some calming products from Pet Remedy in readiness for fireworks season. Our plug-in diffuser is a great way to alleviate anxiety in the home. The unique natural formula of Valerian, Vetiver, Sweet Basil and Sage works to relieve stress and keep dogs calm when noisy fireworks are going on outside.