Pet ID tags: what to put on them and how to keep them working

Updated October 13, 2026 · LostPet.com

Short answer

Put your current cell phone number on your pet's ID tag first, then a second number if it fits, plus your pet's name. Add your name or town if there's room. Keep the text short and easy to read, put the tag on a collar your pet wears every day, and update it the day your number changes.

An ID tag is the simplest way home for a lost pet. Anyone who finds your dog or cat can read it and call you, with no scanner and no trip to a shelter. The ASPCA says personalized ID tags are likely the fastest way to return a pet (ASPCA).

But a tag only works if it's on your pet and the number still reaches you.

What to put on a pet ID tag

Space is tight, so put the most useful details first:

Your current cell phone number. This is the line that matters most. Use a number you answer.
A second phone number, for a family member or friend, if it fits. The ASPCA suggests two numbers on lost-pet flyers for the same reason: in case you can't be reached (ASPCA).
Your pet's name. American Humane includes it in a complete tag (American Humane).
Your name, and your address or town, if there's room. American Humane lists the owner's name, address and day and evening phone numbers (American Humane). Some owners prefer just a town or ZIP for privacy. It's your call.
Optional: a short note like "Microchipped" or "Needs meds," if it fits without shrinking the phone number.

Keep it readable. Large, deep engraving lasts longer than tiny text. Read the tag at arm's length. If you have to squint, a finder will too.

Which tags to keep on the collar

Your personal ID tag (the one with your phone number).
Rabies tag and city or county license, where required. American Humane says cats and dogs should wear these along with an ID tag (American Humane). The AVMA notes a rabies tag also shows your pet has been vaccinated (AVMA).

Engraved, slide-on or QR tags?

Engraved hanging tags are cheap and easy to find. Check for wear, since engraving can fade.
Slide-on tags sit flat on the collar, so they don't jingle or catch.
QR code tags link to an online profile when someone scans them with a phone. They can hold more details, but the finder needs a phone that can scan, and the profile has to be kept current. Make sure a phone number is printed on the tag too.

Whatever you pick, choose a tag your pet will wear every day.

Cats need tags too

Indoor cats get out: a door left open, a torn screen, a moving day. American Humane recommends tagging your cat even if it never goes outside. Use a safety collar made for cats, with a short piece of elastic sewn in, so your cat can get free if the collar catches on something (American Humane).

Traveling or moving?

When you travel, American Humane suggests a temporary tag with the contact details of someone who knows how to reach you (American Humane). Moving? Order the new tag before moving day, and update your microchip registry and LostPet.com record the same day.

Why tags matter, and why so many pets don't wear one

In an ASPCA-funded national survey, 15% of lost dogs that were found got home because of an ID tag or microchip (Weiss et al., 2012). Yet in a separate ASPCA study, 80% of pet owners said ID tags were very or extremely important, while only 33% said their pets always wore one (ASPCA).

The same study found that when vets put a free collar and tag on pets during a visit, about 84% were still wearing it about eight weeks later, compared with about 14% before (ASPCA). In other words, the easiest fix is to put the tag on today.

A tag plus a chip plus a registration

A tag can fall off. That's why the AVMA says nothing replaces a collar with current tags, but a microchip is the backup when the collar is gone (AVMA). Read microchip vs. ID tag, then check your pet's microchip registration.

Then register your pet free on LostPet.com. Add a clear photo, breed, color, ZIP code, chip number and your phone. If your pet ever goes missing, you can report them lost fast, and My Pets can print a flyer with a QR code on the spot.

Need a chip scanned or checked? Find a clinic in our vet directory. Local animal shelters are in our shelter directory.

Quick checklist: how to set up a pet ID tag that works

Choose the details. Your current cell number first, a second number if it fits, your pet's name, then your name or town if there's room.
Pick a tag your pet can wear every day. Choose a tag sized for your pet with large, deep engraving. For cats, use a safety collar with a short piece of elastic sewn in.
Attach it securely. Use a sturdy ring or a slide-on tag, and keep the rabies tag and license on the collar too where they apply.
Test it. Read the tag from arm's length. If you have to squint, a finder will too.
Keep it current. Update the tag, your microchip registry and your LostPet.com record whenever your phone number changes. Check the tag for wear every few months.

Frequently asked questions

What should I put on my dog's ID tag?

Your current cell phone number comes first. If it fits, add a second number for a family member or friend, then your pet's name. American Humane also suggests the owner's name and address. Keep it short so the text is large and easy to read.

Should I put my address on my pet's ID tag?

American Humane lists the owner's address as part of a complete tag, and it can help a neighbor bring your pet straight home. Some owners prefer just a town or ZIP code for privacy. Either way, a working phone number matters most.

Do indoor cats need an ID tag?

Yes. American Humane recommends tagging your cat even if it never goes outside, because it could slip through an open door. Use a safety collar made for cats, with a short piece of elastic sewn in, so your cat can get free if the collar catches on something.

Are QR code pet tags better than engraved tags?

They do different things. A QR tag can link to an online profile with more details, but the finder needs a phone that can scan it and the profile has to be current. An engraved phone number works for anyone. If you use a QR tag, make sure a phone number is printed on it too.

Does my pet still need a tag if it's microchipped?

Yes. The AVMA says nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date ID tags, because anyone who finds your pet can read a tag and call you. A microchip needs a scanner and a current registration. Use both.

Should I put the microchip number on the tag?

You don't need to. Vets and shelters read the chip with a scanner. Some owners add a word like "Microchipped" so a finder knows to have the pet scanned. The most important line is your phone number.

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Sources

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is hurt or unwell, contact your veterinarian.