Dog Tags and UK Law

Two questions we are regularly asked are:

• Are dog ID tags required by law?
• What information should I put on my dog’s ID tag?

UK Law on Dog Identification

The Control Of Dogs Order 1992 states that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner’s name, address and postcode engraved or written on it, or engraved on a dog ID tag attached to the dog’s collar.

You can be fined up to £5,000 if your dog is found not to be wearing any ID, so it is important to ensure your dog wears a dog ID tag with the correct identification on it to keep on the right side of the law.

What information should I put on my dog’s ID tag?

The basic requirements are:

Owner’s name
Address
Postcode

Stating your address using just a house number and postcode is acceptable.

Here are some examples of dog identification possibilities that are perfectly legal in the UK and should help to give any finder all the information they need to get your dog home quickly should they ever go missing:

1. The basics

 

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F

SMITH 123 W1 00F

 

 

2. Basics plus phone number

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F 0123 456 789

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F Home: 0123 456 789 Mobile: 07900 000 000

 

3. Basics plus dog's personal information

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F 0123 456 789 Microchipped

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F 0123 456 789 Chipped & Neutered

 

4. Basics plus dog's behavioural issues

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F 0123 456 789 NERVOUS

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F 0123 456 789 NOT DOG FRIENDLY

 

5. Basics plus dog's medical needs

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F 0123 456 789 I AM DEAF

SMITH 123 Woof Close W1 00F 0123 456 789 DIABETIC - NEED MEDS

 

As you can see, the options are endless! 

Unlike traditional engraved pet tags, Wag-A-Tude Tags are not as limited to the amount of characters we can use and are able to offer our customers a huge 100 characters of space to add all their dog's personal information to get them home safely. 

Just because they're a legal requirement, it doesn't mean they have to be boring. Give your pet a voice and show off their personality with our huge range of funny dog ID tags. 

We also have a large range of medical pet tags to give you that extra piece of mind should your unwell dog ever go missing. 

Whatever your needs, we're confident we have a dog ID tag for you. 

Remember: Microchipping is NOT an alternative to your dog wearing a dog ID tag, the two should go hand in hand by law and work together to get your dog home faster.