Along with the American Human Association, we’re going to be celebrating “Every Day is a Tag Day” on April 7th to encourage everyone to give your dog a “ticket home”.

People lavish the finest food and toys on their pets, but they often forget to give them the most important thing to ensure a continued happy life, should they ever get lost: proper identification that will be their ticket home.

On Saturday, April 7, the American Humane Association celebrates Every Day is Tag Day, an event that unites thousands of animal care and control agencies, veterinarians, and humane organizations in the common goal of urging pet owners to equip their pets with one or more forms of identification to ensure their safe return.

It is estimated that only 15 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats who wind up in shelters without an ID tag will be reunited with their owners. Because of space and resource constraints, many shelters can hold lost animals for only a short period of time in the hope that the owners will claim their pets. Of the 8 million to 12 million animals who enter shelters every year, about 6 million to 9 million will be euthanized. To spare the heartache of losing a pet, American Humane urges pet owners to understand the critical necessity to tag them.

Microchipping pets is a great option. Many shelters that take in lost animals will check a pet for a microchip — a tiny electronic capsule embedded under its skin that contains a code which links the pet to its owner through a database. Microchipping and tattooing provide an additional layer of assurance in the event that the pet’s collar and tag fall off or are removed. But any form of ID may be useless unless it contains up-to-date contact information.

Tips to Make Every Day Tag Day:

- Make sure your pet wears a collar with a current ID tag, rabies tag and city/county license. Include a contact name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers. Consider providing a phone number for an alternate contact like a neighbor or family member.

- Keep your pet’s licenses and ID tag current! Make sure to update the tag if you change your address or phone numbers.

- If a reward is offered for returning the pet, put that information on the tag.

- When moving or traveling, place a temporary tag on your pet with the phone number of someone who knows how to reach you.

- Remember that even indoor pets need tags. Many strays in shelters are indoor pets who escaped and got lost.

Join American Humane in kicking off the Every Day is Tag Day celebration, and make a resolution to your beloved pets that you will keep them safe by making every day Tag Day.

For more information about Every Day is Tag Day, visit http://www.americanhumane.org/tagday.

About American Humane Association
The American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Founded in 1877, American Humane is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between animal abuse and other forms of violence, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”(R) End Credit Disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels.

American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America “Best in America” Seal of Approval, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s leading charity evaluator. Visit http://www.americanhumane.org/ to learn more.