National Pet ID Week (April 13–19, 2025)

It only takes a second. A door opens. A loud noise startles your pet. A guest forgets to close the gate. Suddenly, your beloved dog or cat is missing.

Every year, thousands of pets go missing—and many are never reunited with their families simply because they didn’t have proper identification. This National Pet ID Week, we're breaking down everything you need to know to keep your pet safe and easy to return home.

Why Pet Identification Matters

According to the American Humane Association, 1 in 3 pets will become lost at some point during their life. Identification can make all the difference in getting them back home quickly and safely.

Common Times of Year When Pets Go Missing:

  • 4th of July & New Year’s Eve (fireworks)

  • Halloween (open doors and spooked pets)

  • Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays (guests coming and going)

  • Summer travel season (open windows, more time outside)

  • Storm season (thunder and power outages can startle pets)

The best way to protect your pet is to use multiple forms of identification.

1. Physical ID Tags: Your Pet’s First Line of Defense

The most visible and immediate way to ID your pet is with a collar and tag.

📍 At Braxton’s, we carry MyFamily Pet ID Tags, and we can engrave a custom tag for you in under 2 minutes. These tags are durable, stylish, and offer a clear point of contact if your pet is found.

🛍️ Special Offer: April 13–19, 2025 only, get 20% off all MyFamily ID tags during National Pet ID Week!

What to Include on an ID Tag:

  • Pet’s name

  • Your phone number (mobile preferred)

  • City and state

  • Optional: secondary contact or microchip notification

Learn more about MyFamily Pet ID Tags

2. Microchips: The Backup Plan That Works When Collars Don’t

Collars can break or be removed—but microchips are permanent. A microchip is a small electronic chip about the size of a grain of rice implanted under your pet’s skin. When scanned by a shelter or vet, the chip displays a unique ID number linked to your contact information.

But a microchip is only as good as the information attached to it. If your contact details are out of date, your pet might still go unidentified.

How to Check Your Pet’s Microchip Info:

Don’t Know Your Pet’s Microchip Number?

  • Your vet can scan your pet and provide the number.

  • You might also find it on adoption paperwork or vet records.

3. Pennsylvania Dog Licenses: It’s the Law

If you live in Pennsylvania and own a dog three months or older, you are legally required to license your dog each year. This license includes your contact info and can help return your pet to you faster if they’re picked up by animal control.

Apply or renew your PA dog license here: Apply for a PA Dog License

Licensing fees also support local shelters and help manage stray pet populations responsibly.

Wrap-Up: One Small Step That Can Make a Huge Difference

Making sure your pet has up-to-date ID might seem like a small detail, but it could be what brings them home one day. Take a moment this week to:

  • Check your pet’s collar and tag for legibility

  • Verify your microchip registration info

  • Renew or apply for your PA dog license

📍 And if your tag needs a refresh, visit Braxton’s for a new MyFamily tag—20% off through April 19th! We’ll engrave it while you shop.