Can Your Pet Be Identified?

The importance of pet ID tags and microchipping

According to a September 2011 ASPCA study, 80 percent of pet owners report that they believe it is important for animals to wear ID tags, yet only 33 percent of that population report always having ID tags on their pets.

Millions of cats and dogs are lost each year in the United States. What's heartbreaking is that only 10-30 percent of lost dogs and only 5 percent of lost cats are reunited with their families because they had proper identification -- either a ID tag or a microchip.

ID tags for collars can be found at nearly all the pet stores in Gillette, or your vet's office. And, microchipping can be done at your vet's office, or during a City of Gillette/Campbell County Animal Shelter microchipping clinic.

And you should also license your pet with the Animal Shelter. The City of Gillette Licensing Fees are:

• Unsterilized animals: $10
• Sterilized animals (spayed or neutered): $3

Note: Owner must provide proof of current rabies vaccination and sterilization. Your license must be renewed yearly. Pet owners who don't license their pets are subject to a $85 fine. You can download a pet licensing form from the City of Gillette Animal Control page. 

So, please (please) take the time to get proper identification for your pet.