Pet Tags and Traveling

The Lab Brats and family will be heading on a 24-hour drive from Wisconsin to Florida next week and as the snow falls, we couldn't be more excited.

However, preparing for a long trip with "fur kids" can make any doggy parent nervous. What happens if they get lost along the way or something happens to them? Well, being one of those nervous parents, I decided that instead of hanging every one of the Lab Brats 5+ dog ID tags around their neck, I would simplify. (Yes, the girls have that many: city license, dog park license, rabies, microchip, contact information, etc.)

If your dog is microchipped, then here is my recommendation. Get a new dog tag for your pup at any pet store (usually around $6.50 a tag) and have 3 lines engraved: Dog's Name, Your Cell Number, and the word "Microchip" in parentheses. When your furry baby is found, the person will know what to call it, have your cell phone number so they can contact you no matter where you are, and know to bring your dog to the local veterinarian to have it's microchip scanned for all other crucial information such as address and your vet's contact information.

In keeping with this, the Lab Brats each got new reflective collars to not only wear on their nighttime walks locally but wear during the entire trip to keep them well seen. (Remember, they are chocolate and blend into the night well) Hanging from their collars is a single dog tag with the information listed above. Of course, their other dog tags will be coming along with us but we will keep those in the glove box should the need arise. Otherwise, the dogs will now be safer along the trip without a bunch of clanging and weight around their necks... which, needless to say, makes this nervous Lab mom very happy!