By Lori-Anne Little [1]
BELLEVILLE – The Quinte Humane Society returned over 300 pets to their families last year thanks to dog tags and microchipping.
The Feb. 28 deadline for getting a dog tag is fast approaching, but why bother? Although licensing a dog costs money – $20-$25 depending on whether or not the dog has been fixed – it is the law and it will help keep your pup protected. The price will increase to $32 after the deadline.
According to the city of Belleville website, if a tagged dog gets lost and is found by animal control it will be returned free of charge. If animal control returns an untagged dog, it will cost the owner a $50 impound fee plus boarding fees which start at $20 for the first day and $10 for each subsequent day.
Frank Rockett, the Quinte Humane Society executive director, says that families are very grateful after being reunited with their lost pets.
“It’s a great deal of relief, you know, when the dog is missing they are worried that it could be hit by a car, or picked up by someone else or thats it’s alone and afraid and scared and hungry,” Rocket said.
The Ontario SPCA [2], and the QHS does however warn pet owners that tags are important but they can get lost or taken off your pet. Microchipping [3] in addition to using a tag will make sure a lost dog finds its way home.
“We certainly encourage anybody who has a dog to both have a dog tag and to get it microchipped. The tag unfortunately if the collar breaks or if somebody removes the collar – it can come off. The microchip is directly imbedded into the animal and any veterinarian or shelter can identify the animal through the microchip – so both are important ways to protect your animal – especially if they get lost,” said Rockett.
Dog tags can picked up at city hall [4], Belleville Water [5], The Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre [6] and the Quinte Humane Society [7].