Frequently Asked Questions
How exactly does the Pet Emergency Tag help my pet?
Help4Pets, Inc. is staffed 24/7 by a team of trained personnel who instantly have access to the secure information you provided when you registered the tag. We take a two-pronged approach to helping reunite you with your pet. We talk to the person who found your pet and relay any important info that may help...how to keep your pet calm, how to fashion a makeshift leash from their jacket or sweater, what key words will help build trust with your pet. At the same time, we are reaching out to you and any secondary contacts you provided. We have years of experience troubleshooting difficult circumstances and our track record of success is rewardingly spectacular.
If my pet already has an I.D. tag, why does he/she need the Pet Emergency Tag?
A tag with your phone number is great, but it is only reliable when you’re available to answer the call. We like to think we are always connected with our cell phones, but the truth is there are many times when we don’t, or can’t answer our phone. If they have to leave a message, the person who finds your pet probably won't be able to wait until you call them back. And most people, even the best of neighbors, are not willing to take a stray pet into their home until they reach you.
With the Pet Emergency Tag, your pet is always one phone call away from immediate help in any emergency. With the toll-free number and unique ID number on the Pet Emergency Tag, there is always a live person ready to help. The person who calls will be guided on the best way to assist your pet while our hotline staff of experts simultaneously go into action to track you down.
Isn’t a microchip better than a tag?
- The finder cannot see it or even know if there is one – it is hidden under your pet’s skin.
- The finder cannot access the information on the chip without first transporting your pet to a vet clinic or shelter with a microchip scanner.
- A microchip does not work 24 hours a day or nationwide. It only works at a shelter or veterinarian’s office that is open and has a chip scanner.
- Not all microchips are created equal and often the pet owners forget to keep their contact information up to date.
My pet never gets out. Why does he/she need the Pet Emergency Tag?
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Accidents happen. No matter how careful you are – a workman accidentally leaves the gate open, the kids forget to close the door, or you open a door to accept a delivery, unaware that your pet is nearby. They can be tempted or startled and bolt out of the house unexpectedly. If your pet can walk, they can get out. No matter how careful you are. It makes sense to protect them…just in case.
Here’s what the president of the SPCA has to say on the subject:
“If we had a dollar for every lost pet who ‘never gets out’ we could build a new shelter. The Pet Emergency Tag should be on your pet all the time.” – Madeline Bernstein, President spca/LA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
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In the event of a natural disaster, windows may break or a door may fly open. You can not always control whether your pet gets out or not. -
In the event of a fire, you WANT your pet to get out of the house, and they would be as frightens as you and very difficult to control or contain. -
When you take your pet to a clinic or vet they are in unfamiliar surroundings and may be difficult to contain.
Isn’t a city license tag good enough?
If my pet is found injured and I can’t be located, won’t a vet go ahead and treat my pet?
Wouldn’t a ‘high tech” GPS system work better at finding my pet?
Does my pet need to wear his/her collar and tags while indoors or in our fenced-in yard?
Yes, it is very important that pets wear their collar and tags at all times, even during bedtime.
It’s hard to always “plan for the worst”, but it can be the best way to be prepared and safe. If there is a house fire, you would WANT your pets to escape to safety. During the commotion you may lose track of them for a while, but if they have their tags on, you dramatically increase your chances of finding them.
If someone comes to your door or you have a tradesperson working in the house, pets can, and will take advantage of an opened door to dash out to explore.
The number of pets that have managed to escape from fenced in yards every year is incredibly high. Whether your hairy Houdini is digging under, climbing over or just taking advantage of an unlatched gate, you can magically increase the chances of getting them home safely by always having their collars and tags on.
Does the clinking sound of the tags drive you nuts? Personally, I love it, but there are a variety of inexpensive products that help silence the tags without eliminating the value they provide.
Why not use a QR code on the tag?
What happens if I am not available or if I’m hurt or incapacitated?
What if I lose my cell phone in a fire or natural disaster, how do you reach me?
Do you release my details to the person who calls and says they’ve found my pet?
If I lose the tag, how much is a replacement?
How long do the tags last under normal wear and tear?
How do I update my emergency contacts, address or details about my pet?
Is there a limit to the number of times we can use your service each year?
Are there different sizes or different designs available?