Pet Identification

There are three common types of identification methods for your pets. If you are interested in any of these pet identification methods, please contact us at 604-526-0334 and our team would be happy to help you.

Collar

Collars are always recommended as a first line of identification. A simple tag with your phone number is best added to the collar.

Advantages

• Very inexpensive
• Easy to see identification without any equipment

Disadvantages

• Can come off
• Some pets won’t wear them
• Does not protect against theft of the pet

Tattoo

A tattoo is placed in the right ear of your pet. It is usually done while your pet is spayed or neutered.

The tattoo code is specific to you and our hospital.

If your pet goes missing and is found, the code traces your pet back to us, and we then locate you.

Advantages

• Inexpensive
• Good for pets who won’t wear a collar

Disadvantages

• Requires general anesthesia to do a tattoo
• Can fade or smudge over time
• Only valid in B.C.

Microchip

Microchipping has become a very popular and safe way to permanently identify your pet and you as the owner in the unfortunate case that your pet is lost. Microchipping involves placement of a small electronic chip that is the size and shape of a grain of rice underneath the skin in the neck area. A needle is used to inject the chip.

If your pet becomes lost and is taken to a humane society, a shelter, or a veterinary hospital, your pet will be scanned. The chip will provide information to locate you, the owner.

Advantages

• Secure and cannot fall out
• Easy to implant, does not require anesthesia
• Valid in B.C, North America, and some countries overseas
• Cannot “fade”
• Best protection against pet theft

Disadvantages

• Requires the finder to have and use a scanner
• More expensive than tattoo or collar
• Can occasionally migrate from original location