Are you looking for a way to show your furry friend some love? Buying them fancy toys or gourmet treats might seem like the obvious move, but the best act of love for your pet is much simpler than that– a pet license!
Pet licensing is a legal requirement in most communities– we get it, that sounds pretty boring, but we’re gonna tell you why this “LeGaL rEqUirEmEnt” is actually a pretty dang cool way to show your love not just for your four-legged buddy, but for the animals in your community as well.
Before we get into all the pawsome reasons why you should license your pet, let’s state the obvious: what *is* a pet license? A pet license is a record that contains crucial information about a pet and its owner, such as the name and address of the owner, the type and breed of the pet, and even its vaccination history. The license is displayed in the form of a tag attached to the pet’s collar, making it easy for people to quickly and easily identify the pet in case they get lost. Usually, a small fee is required, and the license must be renewed annually or after some years.*
Pet licensing is a crucial responsibility that showcases your love and dedication towards your furry friend. By obtaining a pet license, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your pet, along with several other benefits. Let’s explore some of the fabulous reasons why getting a pet license is one of the most loving things you can do for your pet!
It Helps Lost Pets Get Home Quickly
Pet licensing helps keep your furry friend safe and out of harm’s way. Lost pets with licenses tend to be found and reunited with their owners much faster than unlicensed ones. Why? Their license tag, of course.
Animal Control or anyone who finds a lost pet can use a pet’s license tag information to identify the pet and contact its owner quickly. Without a license, identifying a pet’s owner can be much more challenging, and the pet may spend hours, days or even weeks in a shelter waiting for their owner to find them.
DocuPet Pro Tip: If you reside in a DocuPet licensing community (or have a standard DocuPet designer tag for your pet), your pet’s tag comes equipped with our free HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service. You can rest assured that your furry friend will be in good hands if they ever get separated from you, as thousands of lost pets have been reunited with their families thanks to this valuable service powered by a dispatch team that works around the clock for pet owners like you.
It Can Provide Important Health Information
As pet owners, keeping our furry friends healthy and safe is crucial. One (easy) way to support this is by getting them licensed. A pet license provides an official record of your pet’s essential health information, such as proof of vaccinations, which can be helpful and even life-saving in emergencies or when traveling with them.
In some communities, pets are required to be vaccinated, particularly for rabies, in order to be licensed. In these instances, a license tag becomes a valuable tool for Animal Control or anyone who finds a lost pet and allows them to easily identify which pets have been vaccinated, which can be crucial in controlling the spread of diseases. Some airlines and other modes of transportation may require proof of vaccination and licensing before allowing your pet to travel with you.
Licensing requirements often mandate up-to-date vaccinations, which are essential for your pet’s health and overall public health. By licensing your pet, you are not only adhering to local laws but also ensuring the safety and protection of your pet and the community at large.
DocuPet Pro Tip: Every DocuPet tag (license or standard) has a unique 8-digit code that links to their comprehensive online profile, which may house your pet’s vital medical information, such as medications, health conditions, and your vet’s contact information. This feature can be helpful in emergencies, ensuring that your pet gets timely and appropriate care even if you’re not around.
It Helps Pets In An Emergency
In case you ever have to evacuate your home unexpectedly due to a natural disaster like a hurricane, flood, or wildfire, a pet license is a small investment that can make a big difference in keeping your pet by your side.
With a pet license, authorities can quickly identify your furry friend and contact you right away if they are found. This simple step can make all the difference in ensuring your pet’s safety during an emergency. Moreover, a pet license may also show that a pet has received all of their necessary vaccinations*, which can be crucial in a situation where many animals are gathered together in a shelter or holding area.
A pet license can also help you access emergency shelters or other resources available to pet owners during such times. Many emergency shelters and evacuation centers require proof of pet ownership and current vaccinations, which can be provided through a pet license.
It Supports Local Animals
Having a licensed pet ensures their own safety and security but also creates a better quality of life for local shelter animals in the community. Let’s explain why.
If a licensed pet gets lost, Animal Control can easily identify its owner (you know, via the license) and quickly reunite them– this means that the licensed pet gets to skip a trip to the shelter and goes right back home to their family. The shelter resources that otherwise would’ve been allocated to a temporarily displaced pet are instead freed up for an animal that truly needs the space and care. It’s a trickle-down effect that is only as strong as the number of licensed pets that get to skip the shelter to begin with– can you imagine if 100% of the pets in a community were licensed? Our local shelters are overcrowded and understaffed– licensing our pets is a small gesture that makes a BIG difference in our community.
In some cases, the fees collected from pet licensing are used to fund spay and neuter programs, education initiatives, and other efforts that help reduce the number of homeless pets. All of these efforts work together to create a more efficient and effective system for caring for animals in need.
It Showcases Responsible Pet Ownership
The impact of obtaining a pet license extends beyond your own pet’s well-being, it also demonstrates that you care for your pet and the welfare of other pets in your area. Just by taking a quick glance at your pet’s collar, one can see that you’ve made the responsible choice to comply with your local ordinance in ensuring your pet is accounted for in the community.
At first look, a license tag may seem insignificant, yet it represents a much bigger goal– responsible pet ownership and community safety. By licensing your pet, you can foster a sense of community among pet owners and inspire others in your community to do the same, helping to ensure that more pets are safe and accounted for.
Simply put, when a community supports animals, all pets reap the benefits!
Licensing your pet is a true act of love that shows your commitment to their safety and well-being. By licensing your pet, you take a small but impactful step towards ensuring their safety and peace of mind. So, if you haven’t already, consider licensing your pet today and show your beloved companion how much you care!
*Just like paw prints, no two community licensing programs are identical! If you don’t live in a DocuPet licensing community (yet), you can find out more about licensing in your area by contacting your local government.
