By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
A microchip needs a scanner, which means a vet, council or shelter. An ID tag can be read by anyone. If your dog or cat is found by a neighbour at 9pm, a clear phone number on their collar can get them home that night instead of after a trip to the pound. The RSPCA recommends that dogs and cats wear an ID tag with your phone number as well as being microchipped. Here's what to put on it, and what to leave off.
Key takeaways
- Your mobile number is the most important thing on any pet ID tag.
- Keep it short and readable. A second number is useful if there's room.
- Some councils issue a registration tag. Use it alongside your own ID tag, not instead of it.
- Cats should wear a quick-release collar with their tag.
- Check tags regularly for wear, and replace them when your details change.
What to put on a pet ID tag
- Your mobile number. This is the one detail every tag needs. If you add a landline, include the area code.
- A second contact number, if there's space, such as a partner or family member.
- Your pet's name (optional). It helps a finder calm your pet. Some owners leave it off, which is a personal choice.
- Your suburb (optional). This shows a finder whether your pet is close to home without giving out your full address.
- "I'm microchipped" (optional). This prompts a finder to take your pet to a vet or council for a scan if they can't reach you.
- Medical alert (if relevant). A short note such as "Needs daily medication" tells a finder to act quickly. Keep the details for the registry and your vet.
What to leave off
- Your full street address. Your suburb and phone number are usually enough.
- Long sentences or small print that wears away quickly.
- Old phone numbers. An outdated number is worse than none, because a finder may give up.
Council registration tags by state
A registration tag links your pet to the council record, but it isn't a direct line to you.
- Tasmania: councils issue a registration tag for dogs showing the registration number and expiry date. Huon Valley Council suggests adding a second tag with your phone number.
- Western Australia: dogs and cats must be registered with their local government. Ask your council what tag it issues.
- South Australia: registered dogs get a registration disc. Finders can search a registration or microchip number on Dogs and Cats Online.
- ACT: cats must wear identification such as a collar and tag.
- Other states: check with your council about registration tags and whether your pet must wear one.
Tags for cats
Cats need a quick-release (breakaway) collar, which the RSPCA recommends because it opens if it gets caught. Choose a small, light tag that doesn't bother your cat, and, as a general rule, fit the collar so you can slide one or two fingers underneath. Our lost cat guide explains why visible ID matters so much for cats, which often hide close to home.
Choosing a tag that lasts
These are general, practical tips rather than official rules.
- Engraved metal generally lasts longer than printed or painted tags.
- Deeper engraving usually stays readable for longer.
- Slide-on or riveted tags sit flat against the collar, so they are less likely to snag or fall off.
- Check the ring. Split rings can open over time, so check them regularly.
Do tags really help?
Most of the published data comes from overseas. In a 2007 US study of 187 lost dogs in Ohio, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, fewer than half of the dogs (48%) had any identification when they went missing, counting tags and microchips. A dog licence tag was one of the main ways recovered dogs got home, and dogs wearing one were more likely to be recovered. That doesn't mean chips don't work. It shows that visible ID is often how a lost pet gets home fast. In Australia, microchipping is compulsory for dogs and cats in every state and the ACT (and within the City of Darwin in the NT), so the best approach is both: a current microchip record and a tag.
Keep your details current
When you change your number, update your pet's tag and microchip record at the same time. Our guide to updating microchip details in Australia walks you through each state. Check tags before high-risk times such as New Year's Eve fireworks.
If your pet does go missing, see our guides to finding a lost dog and finding a lost pet in Australia. Questions about collars, fit or skin irritation under a collar? Real vets and vet nurses can help on a Dial A Vet video consult.
FAQ
Should I put my pet's name on their tag?
It's optional. A name can help a finder calm your pet. Some owners leave it off, but your phone number should always be there.
Is a microchip enough on its own?
A microchip is permanent ID, but it needs a scanner and current registry details. The RSPCA recommends a tag with your phone number as well.
Does my cat need a tag if they're indoors?
Indoor cats can still slip out. The RSPCA recommends a quick-release collar with an ID tag, and in the ACT cats must wear identification.
How often should I replace a tag?
Whenever your details change, or when the engraving becomes hard to read. Check it regularly.
Do I still need my council registration tag?
Where your council issues one, keep it on. It links your pet to the council record. Add your own tag with your phone number too.
References
- RSPCA Australia. Fireworks aren't always fun for our pets. https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/fireworks-arent-always-fun-our-pets/
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I do if my cat is missing? https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/general/what-should-i-do-if-my-cat-is-missing
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. Is microchipping mandatory for cats and dogs? https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/legislation/companion-animal-legislation/is-microchipping-mandatory-for-cats-and-dogs
- Lord LK, Wittum TE, Ferketich AK, Funk JA, Rajala-Schultz PJ. Search and identification methods that owners use to find a lost dog. JAVMA 2007;230(2):211-216. (US data.) https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/230/2/javma.230.2.211.xml
- Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet. Microchipping, registration and desexing dogs. https://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/government-information/local-government/dog-control/microchipping-registration-and-desexing-dogs
- Huon Valley Council. Registration and microchipping. https://www.huonvalley.tas.gov.au/residents/pets-and-livestock/dog-management/registration-microchipping/
- WA Government. Cats and dogs. https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/local-government/cats-and-dogs
- Dog and Cat Management Board (SA). Easy guides for Dogs and Cats Online. https://dogandcatboard.com.au/dogs-and-cats-online/guides
- Dog and Cat Management Board (SA). Registering dogs. https://dogandcatboard.com.au/dogs/registration
- ACT City Services. Cats. https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/pets-and-wildlife/cats
This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your own vet.