What to Put on a Pet ID Tag (and What to Leave Off)

An ID tag only works if the person who finds your pet can act on it in under a minute. That means being deliberate about what you include.

Always include

• A phone number you actually answer. A mobile, not a landline you rarely check. If you can add a second contact — a partner or family member — do.
• Your pet's name. It helps a finder calm and hold your pet while they call you.
• A word about temperament or needs. "Friendly", "nervous — don't chase", or "needs daily medication" changes how a stranger handles the situation.

Think carefully before including

• Your home address. A traditional metal tag shows it to everyone who picks up your pet, including people you would rather not have it.
• Your pet's full medical history. There isn't room, and it isn't what the moment calls for.

The problem with engraved tags

Engraving is permanent. Change your number or move house, and the tag is wrong until you buy another one — and wrong information is worse than none, because the finder assumes they have tried.

The other issue is space. A small metal disc can hold a name and one number, so most owners drop the details that would actually help.

How a digital tag changes the answer

With a QR tag, the information lives on a page you control. That means you can include the useful context — pet name, photo, temperament notes, medication, a reward if you are offering one, and more than one way to reach you — while choosing what stays private.

With Kingston's tags you decide whether your phone number and email are shown publicly. If you prefer, a finder can send you a message without seeing your contact details at all. And when your number changes, you update it yourself in seconds — the tag never becomes out of date.

A quick checklist

• Phone number current? Check it today.
• Pet's temperament noted, so a stranger knows how to approach?
• Any medical need a finder should know about within the first hour?
• Privacy set the way you want it?

Browse smart tags or read how setup works.