PetHub QR Code ID Tags.

[JennG]

Hey y'all! I just recently started working for a pet-centric company, focusing on QR code ID tags mainly.

I obviously got one for June and Crank, but also wanted to share the info with all of you. Because I know that all of us are equally obsessed with our dogs and would be devastated if they ever got lost and didn't make it home quickly.

"When we started PetHub, the RTO for dogs was less than 18% and under 2% for cats when they go missing. With PetHub's 'Pack Members' found through its services, ~ 96% of them are home in under 24-hours. Best of all, less than 2% ever reach an animal shelter's doors because of the many ways PetHub helps the community return an animal to its family," - a quote from our co-founder and CTO, Tom Arnold.

The company website is: PetHub This is where you can buy the tags and check out the other services/products offered, you can even just create a FREE account and have a profile for your pet to keep track of information.

& here's an article that was just published about the company: How to Find a Lost Dog With PetHub - Fidose of Reality


PS: I don't benefit from any purchases if you make them, just wanted to share the info!

 

[AvaGonzalez]

Hey y'all! I just recently started working for a pet-centric company, focusing on QR code ID tags mainly.

I obviously got one for June and Crank, but also wanted to share the info with all of you. Because I know that all of us are equally obsessed with our dogs and would be devastated if they ever got lost and didn't make it home quickly.

"When we started PetHub, the RTO for dogs was less than 18% and under 2% for cats when they go missing. With PetHub's 'Pack Members' found through its services, ~ 96% of them are home in under 24-hours. Best of all, less than 2% ever reach an animal shelter's doors because of the many ways PetHub helps the community return an animal to its family," - a quote from our co-founder and CTO, Tom Arnold.

The company website is: PetHub This is where you can buy the tags and check out the other services/products offered, you can even just create a FREE account and have a profile for your pet to keep track of information.

& here's an article that was just published about the company: How to Find a Lost Dog With PetHub - Fidose of Reality


PS: I don't benefit from any purchases if you make them, just wanted to share the info!View attachment 145519View attachment 145520

Interesting, I’ve seen these QR tags pop up more lately. The idea makes a lot of sense, especially for people who move around a lot or want more info available than a standard tag can hold. Being able to update contact details without replacing the tag is definitely a big plus.

That said, I’d still pair something like that with a traditional engraved tag and a microchip. Not everyone who finds a dog will think to scan a code, or even have the right app or signal at the time.

But as an extra layer, it seems pretty useful. Anything that increases the chances of a quick return is worth considering, especially with how stressful it is when a pet goes missing.

 

[Wrangler]

Not everyone who finds a dog will think to scan a code, or even have the right app or signal at the time.

And a lot of people WONT scan QR codes as to the many risks of malicious things that can happen.

 

[DobieDesire]

Thanks for sharing, seems like a cool idea. Now if someone scans the QR code, does the info on the dog/owners phone number show on the finders phone, or would the finder have to get ahold of the company?

 

[Wrangler]

Thanks for sharing, seems like a cool idea. Now if someone scans the QR code, does the info on the dog/owners phone number show on the finders phone, or would the finder have to get ahold of the company?

1) Check the tag​

Look for a PetHub tag on the collar.

If it has a QR code:
Open your phone’s camera and point it at the code, then tap the link that pops up. You’ll see the pet’s profile with the contact info the owner has chosen to share.

If there’s a phone number on the tag:
Call it. Our 24/7 call center will connect you directly with the owner.

 

[JanS]

I like the concept but our dogs are micro-chipped and it says that on their ID tags so people will know to have someone scan the chip.

 

[ABCDogs]

I always keep visible ID on my dogs, usually just the word “MICROCHIPPED” and two phone numbers. I prefer riveted tags or the slip-on kind over dangle tags. I would not use a QR code. I want it to be as easy as possible for someone to contact me. If someone like my mom or my grandmother found a dog with a QR code on the tag they wouldn’t immediately know what to do. My mom could probably figure it out, but she’s been told not to scan strange QR codes by lots of people and may not be comfortable scanning it. My grandmother doesn’t even have a cell phone.

I worked at the county animal shelter in Atlanta for a while and the dogs that made it all the way into the shelter rarely had visible ID. Because if the animal control officer picked up a dog with a good phone number on the tag, they just called the number and took the dog home. We frequently had dogs with microchips come in and stay for a few hours before getting reclaimed. Dogs without any ID or a chip got reclaimed at a much lower rate than those with chips or visible ID.

This is my go-to tag, available for about $14 with shipping from Lucky Tag on Amazon. Most of my dogs’ collars have one of these tags on them.

 

[AvaGonzalez]

I always keep visible ID on my dogs, usually just the word “MICROCHIPPED” and two phone numbers. I prefer riveted tags or the slip-on kind over dangle tags. I would not use a QR code. I want it to be as easy as possible for someone to contact me. If someone like my mom or my grandmother found a dog with a QR code on the tag they wouldn’t immediately know what to do. My mom could probably figure it out, but she’s been told not to scan strange QR codes by lots of people and may not be comfortable scanning it. My grandmother doesn’t even have a cell phone.

I worked at the county animal shelter in Atlanta for a while and the dogs that made it all the way into the shelter rarely had visible ID. Because if the animal control officer picked up a dog with a good phone number on the tag, they just called the number and took the dog home. We frequently had dogs with microchips come in and stay for a few hours before getting reclaimed. Dogs without any ID or a chip got reclaimed at a much lower rate than those with chips or visible ID.

This is my go-to tag, available for about $14 with shipping from Lucky Tag on Amazon. Most of my dogs’ collars have one of these tags on them.

View attachment 159625
website
View attachment 159624

I’m on the same page as you about keeping things simple and immediately readable. A clear phone number on a tag is still the fastest way to get a dog back home, especially for people who aren’t tech-savvy. QR codes sound clever in theory, but in a real situation people want something they can act on instantly without thinking twice.

Your shelter experience really highlights that point. If someone can just call right away, the dog often never even enters the system. Microchips are great as a backup, but they depend on the dog being scanned, which takes extra steps.

I also prefer non-dangling tags for comfort and durability. Less noise, less chance of getting caught on something. Overall, simple, visible ID just works best in practice.

 

[Ravenbird]

I don't like dangley tags either. I have a leather buckle collar with a riveted brass ID tag that I call her travel collar. It goes on every single time she gets in a vehicle. She has a hunter-orange collar that she wears when we hike that has a dangle ID tag and bear bells on it. I'd like to get a brass riveted tag for that one as well. I will definitely get "micro-chipped" stamped on them next time, great idea, as if I'm hurt or dead the phone number might be useless LOL.

 

[DobieDesire]

I'd like to find an ID tag that rivets onto the collar that is EASY TO READ!! Ordered 2 for my dogs, actually, collars with the tags already on them, and the company customizes them. The numbers are raised, and small. Would love to find tags that rivet to collars with, readable, recessed letters/numbers.

 

[Ravenbird]

I'd like to find an ID tag that rivets onto the collar that is EASY TO READ!

This is where I got mine - It's about 5 years old now and still easy to read.

Leather Dog Collar + LASER Name Plate

 

[JanS]

We've had great luck with Boomerang Tags For Pets That Come Back and they have lasted for the life of the dogs with the text as readable as it was the first day.

 

[ABCDogs]

I don't like dangley tags either. I have a leather buckle collar with a riveted brass ID tag that I call her travel collar. It goes on every single time she gets in a vehicle. She has a hunter-orange collar that she wears when we hike that has a dangle ID tag and bear bells on it. I'd like to get a brass riveted tag for that one as well. I will definitely get "micro-chipped" stamped on them next time, great idea, as if I'm hurt or dead the phone number might be useless LOL.

The “microchipped” is more of a deterrent from theft than part of the ID. I learned that working at the shelter too. That’s also why I rarely put my dogs’ names on their collars. I’m less picky about that, but I always make sure the visible ID says microchipped.

If the visible ID falls off, the dog will still be scanned by any shelter upon intake or a vet upon request. And most vets will scan dogs anyway. One time after I had moved to a new city and gotten married I forgot to update my dog’s chip info. When we went to a new vet they took her back to draw blood for a heartworm test and came back in without her and asked me a million questions. My phone number was the same, but the discrepancy between my last name and my address prompted them to double check that I actually owned my dog. I logged into her HomeAgain account on my phone to show them I did own her. I also had not updated my drivers license yet, so I showed them that too. They apologized, but I was actually very happy that they did that for my dog.

And if you ever need to make a lost or found dog flyer, don’t give their name or sex. Just a picture, the word MISSING or FOUND and a phone number. That helps cut through the scams.

 

[BG1]

My city partners with HomeAgain for dual purpose ID and county rabies tags.
The tag shows a code and phone number goes to HomeAgain, so owner privacy is maintained, while a way to be contacted is maintained.

I've called HomeAgain twice just to double check how the process it works, and was not impressed with customer service, and the less than 24 hrs covered.

I also found that the microchip owner info from vet has to be confirmed/updated at microchip issuer data source.

I do like the "microchipped" legend-on-brass-plate riveted on leather collar idea as a backup, as the HomeAgain tags are sort of flimsy as is the supplied wire attachment- dont survive saltwater and rough use by trail dog...

Especially...
if "microchipped" is seen as a theft deterrent.

 

[JanS]

My city partners with HomeAgain for dual purpose ID and county rabies tags.

I'm pretty sure HomeAgain was one of them who was going to stop updating their database so if you move or something changes you're out of luck.
Both of these dogs have AKC Reunite and that one still seems to be one of the solid ones.

 

[BG1]

I'm pretty sure HomeAgain was one of them who was going to stop updating their database so if you move or something changes you're out of luck.
Both of these dogs have AKC Reunite and that one still seems to be one of the solid ones.

Update: my bad on the HomeAgain info- thats the microchip provider for the RFID chip installed by our vet when we got Bonnie.

The cost of the chip includes a free lifetime membership and I just called again to confirm address and phone is still correct, in case Bonnie loses collar

I mis-remembered and here is the correction:

Its the Docupet tag that is the provider for my city/county annual dog license and rabies certificate, online.

Docupet was who I waa complaining has limited hours but I notice those have been improved now than before.

BTW The main value to Docupet for us is that not only does it pay for my annual county license but also rabies certificate,

It gives a bit more anonymity- the tag has a unique number-code and Docupets toll free number to call,
vs putting our own home or cell- gives a little more safety if you are privacy oriented, and defeats a person who might steal your dog or attempt to scam you on a lost dog.

Only a Docupet number to report lost dog...
Docupet then calls the owner.




PS @JanS
You may have seen HomeAgain listed as alternative to "Safe this Life" which went bust and removed from national chip registry.

Pet owners urged to re-register microchips after company shuts down

Animal advocates are encouraging pet owners to check their pets’ microchips after one company abruptly shut down.

www.news5cleveland.com

I asked HomeAgain and they confirmed they are still in business, website has no adverse news, and I also confirmed our contact info is correct, so if Bonnie loses the tag or collar and the Docupet info is lost, then any vet or shelter can reach us with chip info.


Its the Docupet tag thats a bit cheesy and metal wears fast...in surf and turf trail dog hard use!