Before we dive into the why, it is important to know the difference between the types of pet identification and what they can do.
There are several types of pet identification methods, each with its own advantages. These methods help reunite lost pets with their owners and ensure proper identification. Here are the most common types:
1. Collar Tags
- Description: A tag attached to a pet's collar that typically includes the pet's name and owner's contact information.
- Pros: Easy to read, low cost, instantly visible.
- Cons: Can fall off or become unreadable over time.
2. Microchips ~ We recommend Petkey.
- Description: A small electronic chip implanted under the pet's skin (usually between the shoulder blades) that contains a unique ID number.
- Pros: Permanent, can't be lost or removed, widely used by vets and shelters.
- Cons: Requires a scanner to read; owners must keep contact info up to date in the microchip registry.
3. Tattoos
- Description: A unique code tattooed on the pet, often on the inner thigh or ear.
- Pros: Permanent, no special equipment needed to view.
- Cons: Can fade or become hard to read, not as common or standardized as microchips.
4. GPS Trackers
- Description: Electronic devices attached to a collar that use GPS technology to track a pet's location in real time.
- Pros: Allows owners to find pets immediately; often linked to a smartphone app.
- Cons: Needs charging, can be bulky, may have subscription fees.
5. QR Code Tags
- Description: Tags with a QR code that links to an online pet profile when scanned.
- Pros: Can include extensive information (medical records, multiple contacts); easy to update.
- Cons: Requires a smartphone to scan; only useful if someone finds and scans the tag.
6. RFID Collars or Tags
- Description: Similar to microchips but used with special RFID-enabled collars or tags that can communicate with doors or feeders.
- Pros: Useful for pet-specific access (e.g., pet doors).
- Cons: Limited use for general identification; requires compatible systems.
Summary Table
| Method | Permanent | Requires Tech | Easily Visible | Updateable | Cost |
| Collar Tag | No | No | Yes | Yes | Low |
| Microchip | Yes | Yes (scanner) | No | Yes | Moderate |
| Tattoo | Yes | No | No | No | Low |
| GPS Tracker | No | Yes (GPS/App) | Yes | Yes | High |
| QR Code Tag | No | Yes (smartphone) | Yes | Yes | Low-Mid |
| RFID Collar/Tag | No | Yes (RFID) | Yes | Yes | Varies |
Microchipping is important for several reasons when traveling internationally with your dog:
- Identification: A microchip is a permanent, unique form of identification that can't be lost, unlike collars or tags that can fall off or get removed. If your dog gets lost during travel or in the case of an emergency, a microchip helps ensure they can be returned to you. It provides essential information about the dog's identity and your contact details.It is just as important to keep it updated with your contact information so that it ensures ease of return.
- Pet Travel Regulations: Many countries require pets to be microchipped as part of their import/export regulations. It allows the authorities to trace your dog back to you if needed. It's often a mandatory step to fulfill the health certification process, which includes vaccinations, blood tests, and rabies titer testing.
- Animal Safety: It reduces the risk of confusion or mix-ups in crowded or stressful situations, like at airports, customs, or shelters. Microchips ensure that your pet is easily identifiable in case of separation or a lost situation, which is particularly important in high-stress environments like airports.
- Ease of Recovery: In case your dog gets lost in a foreign country, authorities or animal shelters will be able to quickly scan the microchip and access your contact information, greatly improving the chances of a safe return.It is important to know that shelters are not required to keep your dog forever, so the quicker you can retrieve your pet, the better.As an example, if your pet ends up in a shelter/rescue in the United States, they are only required by law to keep your pet for 4 days on average (3 to 5 days depending on the state) and look for you in the process.After that, your pet can be rehomed.
- Cross-border Pet Travel Standards: Some countries won't allow pets to enter unless they have been microchipped, or they may have strict protocols for tracking animals across borders. Microchips make it easier to comply with international pet travel laws.Your chip and documentation also let the authorities know that you and your pet are not part of a bigger problem, an animal trafficking ring.
There are a few different types of microchips that you can purchase for your pet but the #1 recommend microchip to purchase is the (International Organization for Standardization) ISO-compliant microchip.This microchip is the only one considered compliant because it meets specific standards for international recognition.For international pet travel, you need an ISO-compliant microchip, which is a 15-digit microchip that operates at a radio frequency of 134.2 kHz. This type of microchip is universally recognized and can be read by most microchip scanners worldwide.
Before traveling, it's a good idea to 1) ensure the microchip is properly registered with your up-to-date contact details and 2) that it works properly, especially if you're traveling to a country with strict entry requirements.