Why Pet Identification Matters
How to Keep Your Pet Safe and Get Them Home Faster
No one ever thinks their pet will get lost—but it happens more often than you might think.
Consider this:
1 in 3 pets will get lost at least once in their lifetime.
Only 16% of lost pets ever make it back home.
Approximately 20 lost pets arrive at Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) every single day—and sadly, most of them have no identification.
Protecting your pet with visible and permanent identification could make the difference between a joyful reunion and heartbreak. Here's how you can safeguard your beloved companion.
Collars and Tags: First Line of Defense
While a microchip provides permanent backup identification, your pet should always wear a collar with ID tags. A collar is the first thing people look for when they find a lost animal.
Key points for your pet’s tag:
Your phone number is the most important information.
Your address is helpful, especially if someone finds your pet close to home.
Your pet’s name is optional—remember, unless they can tell us who to call, it won't get them home faster.
Collars and tags are fast, visible, and lifesaving.
A quick, temporary substitute for a tag is to wrap painter’s tape around the collar several times, then write the information with a permanent marker.
Pet Licensing: It’s the Law—and It Helps Save Lives
Wearing a dog license on your pet’s collar is required by Detroit City ordinance and proves your dog is vaccinated against rabies. It also ensures DACC can contact you quickly if your dog is picked up.
In the City of Detroit:
All dogs older than six months must be licensed with Detroit Animal Care and Control.
Proof of rabies vaccination is required to obtain a license.
A license costs just $10 per year for spayed/neutered animals, $15/year for intact animals, and must be renewed annually.
Licenses are available daily from 10:30am to 3:30pm at 1431 E. Ferry St., Detroit.
Very Important:
Detroit Animal Care & Control does NOT report to police or immigration control. Please do not hesitate to license your pet. Keeping your pet safe is for everyone.
Microchips: Permanent but Not GPS
Microchips are a critical form of permanent identification. About the size of a grain of rice, the chip is implanted just under your pet’s skin and holds a unique ID number connected to your contact information.
Important to know:
Microchips are NOT GPS trackers. They cannot tell you your pet’s location.
Microchips must be registered and your contact information must be kept up to date every time you move or change your phone number.
Always add a trusted friend or family member as an emergency backup contact in case you cannot be reached.
You can get your pet microchipped at your veterinarian’s office or during community vaccine clinics.
GPS, Bluetooth, and AirTags
If you want extra peace of mind, consider a GPS collar or AirTag. These technologies can help you track your pet’s location in real-time using your smartphone, especially useful for escape artists or adventurous pets.
However, always pair GPS trackers with a microchip and visible ID tags—technology can fail, but traditional identification saves lives every day.
Why At Least Three Forms of ID Are Best
We strongly recommend that every pet have at least three forms of identification:
A visible license
A visible ID tag
A registered, up-to-date microchip
Having all three ensures:
Swift reunions if your pet is lost
Rapid identification during emergencies
Stronger community trust and cooperation when pets are found wandering
Give your pet the best chance to get back home. Collars, tags, licenses, microchips—they're simple steps that can make all the difference when it matters most.
If you need a license, a PetHub tag, or have questions about microchipping, visit us at Detroit Animal Care and Control, 1431 E. Ferry St., Detroit. Open every day of the week from 10:30am to 5:30pm.
