The Importance of Identification
Without proper identification, your lost dachshund has virtually no chance of being returned to you. Even with identification, there are still ways things can go awry. There are some actions you can take, however, that will substantially increase the odds that your dachshund will be found and identified.
About ID Tags
The tags on your dog's collar should include a rabies tag, a city license tag (if required), and your dog's identification tag. The rabies tag is easily recognizable nationwide and tends to make people a bit less hesitant about trying to help her. A city license tag is evidence that your dog is up-to-date on her shots and may be helpful in persuading a stranger to watch her until you can come pick her up. (They don't have to worry that your dog might transmit any dread diseases to their pets.)
The identification tag makes it easy for anyone who finds your dog to contact you. This tag should list your dog's call name; your address, city and state; and two telephone numbers (home phone and cell phone) with area codes. If your dachshund gets loose while you're traveling, the only way a person can get in touch with you immediately is by cell phone.
Carry a clear photograph of your dog with you when you travel. If the dachsie is lost, you can quickly make “lost dog” flyers and post them in the area where your dog was last seen. You can also make copies for all the dog shelters and pounds in the surrounding areas.
Also, because identification tags can fall off, consider putting a nameplate directly on your dog's flat-buckle collar. Put the same information on this nameplate that you would on a tag.
Tattoos and Microchips
In addition to tags and a nameplate, consider having your dachshund permanently identified. There are two ways to accomplish this:a tattoo or a microchip. The tattoo is usually the dog's American Kennel Club (AKC) registration number or indefinite listing privilege (ILP) number. With proof of tattooing from your veterinarian, the AKC will keep your contact information on file. If a dog shows up in a shelter or pound with a tattoo, this is one of the first organizations they will call.
The microchips that are used to identify dogs are about the size of a piece of rice. The microchip is activated and inserted under the skin between your dog's shoulder blades. Each microchip has a unique number. When read with a microchip scanner, which virtually all shelters and pounds now have, the dog can be identified by the manufacturer of the microchip or the AKC, if you've registered the number with them also.
