However, tattoos have their drawbacks. The pet finder must look for the tattoo and understand the information. Tattoos can be obscured by hair or even altered.

New technology has led to the computer microchip ID for individual dogs. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice encapsulated within a biocompatible material so it can reside safely under the skin for the lifetime of a dog.

The microchipping must be done by a licensed veterinarian who implants the microchip under the skin between the shoulders of the dog. Dogs can be implanted as young as eight weeks of age. The procedure is not painful. It has been compared to vaccinating a dog. Once implanted, a microchip requires no batteries and no further attention. It has a life span of 25 years. The dog's microchip number cannot be lost, altered or intentionally removed. It is entered into and controlled by a central microchip agency. Your veterinarian or humane society can give you information about microchip registries. As with tattoos, each registry has its own fee and coding system. Changes in dog ownership are easily updated in the registry's data base.