Tattooing Your Pet

A 99+% documented recovery rate

2 points

2

Tags can get lost or can be removed

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3

Microchips do not have a universal scanner and can go undetected

1 point

4

Tattoos are permanent and AKC approved

1 point

5

It Costs Less Then 5 Gallons of Gasoline

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6

About Native Remedies and Pet Alive

By law tattooed animals cannot be used in research labs

0 points

Pet Tat Explained

A tattoo is a permanent and unique ID system that involves marking a code on your pet's skin. The finder calls a database and uses the code to obtain the owner's current address and phone number. This is an invaluable ID should a pet be stolen for research, since laboratories will instantly know the animal is not abandoned, but a beloved pet. American Humane
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware that your pet cannot be identified by the tattoo unless he/she is registered.

1. You probably will be asked to help hold your pet while you vocally comfort and reassure.
2. Your pet is placed on its side while you secure its head and front paws (the tattooer will show you how).
3. The area for the tattoo may be shaved and is then disinfected with alcohol. A light layer of Vaseline is applied to the area so the tattoo marker will move smoothly over the surface of the skin.
4. The tattoo number is applied; you will hear a low buzzing sound from the tattoo pen, reassure your pet.
5. The area is cleansed with a disinfecting soap. The soap also removes excess ink from the skin. Any numbers that are not clear are retouched at this time.
6. A final layer of Vaseline is applied over the finished tattoo.
7. Your pet may resume normal activities immediately after the tattooing.

The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.

Post Tat Instructions: A very fine scab (barely visible) will form over the tattoo numbers. It will fall off in 24-48 hours. It is not unusual for some redness to appear around the newly-formed tattoo numbers. Don't worry! This is normal. If your pet licks off the Vaseline, you may reapply it. Always keep the area scissored or clipped. It is imperative that the tattoo be seen by the finder should your pet become lost.

Source: SPCA of Northern Virginia Pet Tattoo Clinic Q&A.

Pet Skin Care

MORE INFO

Pet Skin vs Human Skin

"The Integumentary System"

Photomicroscopy, Skin X.S. Epidermal Layer

Skin is the largest organ of the body and depending on breed and age, it can account for 12-24% of your animals weight. The skin consists of an outer cellular, avascular layer (without blood vessels) called the epidermis, and an inner fibrous corium or dermis that rests on a supporting layer of fat and very thin muscle. The epidermis is the body's environmental shield. It is made up of tough keratinized cells that are continuously formed and shed from the surface.

There are distinct dimensional differences between the structures of human and animal skin.

The epidermis, or top layer of skin, on a human is much thicker, and the lower skin layers are more uneven than the layers of canine or feline skin.

The epidermis is the layer of skin that dries up and flakes off, so to tattoo effectively, the ink must be inserted just below it.

On humans, the tattoo must go much deeper into the skin, because of the thickness and uneven shape of the epidermis.

Canine and feline epidermis is much thinner and is very regular and even. As a result, the tattoo does not need to penetrate as deeply into the skin.

Your pet's skin has many important functions.

It prevents dryness and dehydration, acts as a sensory organ, and is the receptor for the perception of touch, pressure, vibration, heat, cold and pain.

It prevents trauma, protects against invasion of microorganisms and noxious chemicals, and regulates temperature changes within the body.

The subcutaneous tissues serve as a reservoir for fat, electrolytes, water, carbohydrates and proteins.

Secretions from skin glands waterproof and lubricate the skin and function as pheromones (substance secreted by one that allows another to recognize it).

Skin may reflect the state of health of the animal, as well as indicate the presence of internal diseases.

Source:
- Structure and Function of the Skin and Hair Coat in Dogs by Virginia Wells.
- Merck Manual of Veterinary Medicine.
- NDR: No pain article

My Forum Shout Out...

Question: Would You Have Your Pet Tattooed?

Interesting and even funny responses to my question. These are a few I'd like to share of the 20+ that I received from members at HD Forums :The Read Between The Rides.

Absolutely. Before the chip was widely used, I had AKC champion American Staffordshire Terriers and tattooed my SSN on them for identification purposes. I have friends that are police officers with K9 units, all the police dogs are tattooed as well.
PLUS
Just to add to another positive for having a pet inked....if an inked animal is presented to a research lab (BIG profit) the animal will NOT be used for research purposes. There are very greedy people that steal animals and sell them to research labs. -02sprtychick
I have two Bulldogs and both of them have tattoos. They were already tattooed when I bought them. They were imported from Russia. I'm guessing it's pretty common over there and it was done before they were sent here. I don't have the numbers on the tattoos memorized, I just know they're there. My dogs also have some natural markings that would make it very easy for me to identify them. -Live2Ride
My dog is micro-chipped, if that was not available and a tattoo was the only way to guarantee identification if lost, then yes. -pitbulldog
...Personally, I wouldn't tattoo a pet. But of course this is coming from someone that wouldn't tattoo one's self. -2002fatboy
I have 2 bull terriers and both are tattooed with their AKC registration number and birth year. My local breed club has tattoo clinics at our spring puppy match so everyone has a opportunity to get their litters done. The tattoo is placed in the rear left hand thigh area. The tattoo lady charges 5 bucks and the whole ordeal is over in about a minute. The puppy doesn't seem to mind. -BlueShift
SMILE AWARD I use chips. I don't want other dogs judging mine because she has a tattoo :) -utexasrider
ROFL AWARD No, but I wouldn't mind having my tattoo petted. -Blackbird

Thanks to all that replied to my question on the forum!!

Safeguarding Your Pets

We tend to get comfortable in our life and surroundings, pets don't always have the same mind-set. Live by these or at least consider them for your particular situation.

Pet-proof your fence, check it regularly for new escape routes. Make sure gates are secure, especially for those unwanted guests.
Always have your pet leashed or in a kennel when transporting them, even the best trained animal can escape and get lost.
If your pet doesn't have positive identification, consider a tattoo, tag, license, or microchip. Positive pet identification is the best life-insurance policy you will ever purchase because they are the key to reuniting a lost pet with its owner.
Remember to keep a current photo of your pet on file; up close to show detail and ones with a unique setting are especially helpful.
Ensure that you can be found if your pet is lost and located by keeping your information current with your local vet, animal shelter, and/or pet registry.
Make certain that your pet has a current rabies tag.
Spay or neuter your pet because they are less likely to wander if "fixed".
Don't be caught off guard...make sure to have a First Aid Kit on hand.

Reader's Poll

Please feel free to leave your comments in the guestbook!

Contact me directly with your questions or comments.

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Saying it in Words

Tattooing Your Pet on Wordle

In The News

LITTLE DOG LOST? NOT ALWAYS: THE BACKYARD GATE is ajar, Fluffy is nowhere to be found, and all of a sudden you feel like a Scud missile is doing the macarena in your stomach. The American Humane Association estimates that only about 16 percent of lost dogs and 2 percent of lost cats in shelters are reunited with their owners. Let's hope those statistics will remain just that for you - statistics.
PET MICROCHIPS MAY CAUSE TUMORS: Until recently, the biggest concern over microchips was migration: There was some concern that the chips might inadvertently "travel" from the site of injection, making them harder to find and scan.

But then came news reports earlier this month that pointed to studies of lab mice and rats that had developed malignant tumors near or around the implanted chips.
EXOTIC PET ID: The ability to easily identify your pet whether it is a stranger that finds it or a shelter worker may mean the difference between losing your pet forever or just temporarily.

Pet Resources

Who to contact if you find a tattooed pet

Do a quick examination. See if the animal has a tattoo, usually found on the abdomen, inner thigh or ear. If you find one, check with the following to see if the pet is registered:

Tatoo-A-Pet
Telephone: (954) 581-5834
or (800) TATTOOS (828-8667)

National Dog Registry
Telephone: (800)NDR-dogs This number has had reported downtime

AWOL Pet.com (scroll down for tattoo number entry)

Locating your local animal and rescue shelters

ALSO CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS

HSUS regional offices

USDA's Missing Pet Network

Dog Detective Lost Pet and Pet Theft Alert online

Create a flier if your pet is lost!

Pawsitive Endings

Want your tattooed pet recovery story here? Contact me with the details and I would be glad to add it here.

"My dog was tattooed. She got lost one time, she had got a bath and we forgot to put her collar back on. Somehow the gate got opened and she got out. We called vets and were told that most places do not look for tattoos, and got lectured for not having her collar on. Well the people who found her put up poster and after a week we saw it. I went over to find out she had a friend coming to take the dog that day. I told her this was my dog and I could prove it by the tattoo. Her friend argued with me until I showed her the tattoo so it helped me get my dog back. When I get another dog it will get tattooed also." mycats on Team Build forum

"A six month old puppy was put out into the yard by her owner. Thirty minutes later, I. D. Pet called to report that the dog had been found. The owner had not even realized the dog was missing! Through reconstruction of events, it is believed that the dog had been stolen, taken 3 miles away to the other side of a lake, examined and found to be tattooed, released, found by a good Samaritan and reported to I.D. Pet. All of this took only one half hour! The system works! Let it work for you and your animals." Betty Lewis, R.V.T., Dr.A.N.

"We received a call on a dog that was hit by a car. The dog (Lacy) was taken to a vet and they found the AKC tattoo number. We called the owner and she was so happy that her dog was found and alive! She said they had been looking for hours." Companion Animal Recovery

Herbal Pet Remedies

'Speak' to me....

your opinion matters!

Lensmaster

Pet Lover wrote

Thank you for top information about pets!
I picked up a lot of pet
grooming tips from this site:
Pet Grooming
Accessories and history of bringing up a pets

Posted March 28, 2009

Lensmaster

julie wrote

in reply to Pamela2Heaven ha ha, if I find your chipped dog, and want to keep it, you will never get it back. TATTOOS ARE VISIBLE- grow up if you love your pet.

Posted February 01, 2009

iron1 wrote...

Hmmm...my pit would just love that...I think he want's a skull...lol Great Lens BTW!!

Posted December 29, 2008

Lensmaster

wrote

Great lens. Thanks for sharing this Lens. I am sure my Pet lens.

Posted October 06, 2008

Pamela2Heaven wrote...

Great job...I lensrolled you and star 5

Posted August 08, 2008

WritingforYourWealth wrote...

Hunh, I had not heard of pet tattoos before. Reminds me of how cows used to be branded. I think I'll just stick with the microchip for my doggie. :)

Posted July 26, 2008

BigGirlBlue wrote...

Our dog was tattooed and she has a micro chip.

Posted July 24, 2008

sisterra wrote...

Great lens! I have all of my 5 cats microchipped. I never knew they did tattoos. I don't know what I would do if they got out and I could not find them.

Posted July 08, 2008

Dad-The-Lad wrote...

I am gob smacked. This is the first time I have heard of this. Emailing link to my Mum. She has two dogs. I wonder if anyone asks for 'love' and 'hate' on the dog paws.

Seriously though, great idea, great lens.

Posted June 18, 2008