Why Every Dog Should Have a Dog Tag

Every year, thousands of dogs end up in pounds and shelters across Australia, and many never make it back home. An engraved ID tag is the simplest way to make sure your dog isn't one of them. In much of Australia, some form of ID is also a legal requirement. This guide explains why every dog needs a tag, what the rules say, and what to engrave so your dog gets home quickly.

The numbers: why so many dogs don't make it home

RSPCA shelters across Australia took in 15,852 dogs in 2024–25, and only about one in four went back to their owners. Councils and pounds handle many more dogs on top of that.

Microchipping is compulsory in most states, but a chip only helps if the details on the registry are current, and it can only be read with a scanner at a vet, shelter or council. A tag works differently. Anyone who finds your dog can read it straight away and call you.

What the rules say

Dog ID rules are set by each state and territory, and often added to by your local council, so it's worth checking yours. A few examples:

• Microchipping: in most states and territories, dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before they're sold or given away.
• Registration: most states require you to register your dog with your council or state register, and many councils issue a registration tag to wear in public.
• New South Wales: a dog away from its owner's property must wear a collar and tag showing the dog's name and the owner's address or phone number.
• South Australia: dogs are registered on Dogs and Cats Online, and you can engrave the permanent registration number on a metal tag instead of wearing the plastic disc.

Our guide to Australian pet tag laws covers each state in more detail.

Why a tag gets your dog home faster than a microchip

• Anyone can read it. A neighbour, dog walker or shop owner can call you within minutes, without a trip to the vet or council.
• It shows your dog is loved. A collar and tag tells people your dog has an owner and isn't a stray, so they're more likely to help.
• It works out of hours. Vets and council offices close, especially over weekends and holidays. Your phone doesn't.
• It can carry urgent information. A short medical note such as "NEEDS MEDICATION" or "DEAF" tells a finder how to look after your dog until you arrive.

The best protection is both: an engraved tag for a quick phone call, and a microchip with up-to-date registry details as a permanent backup if the collar comes off.

What to engrave on your dog's tag

Your council's rules come first, but a practical Australian tag usually includes:

• Your dog's name, which is common practice and part of the NSW requirement
• Your mobile number, the line most likely to get your dog home
• Your surname and suburb or address, where your council asks for them
• "MICROCHIPPED", if there's room, to tell a finder (and any would-be thief) that your dog can be traced
• Your registration number, if you're in South Australia and want one tag instead of the plastic disc

What to leave off:

• The microchip number. It's long, hard to read, and doesn't help a finder reach you.
• Extra words like "Tel" or "Please call", which just make the important text smaller.

If you'd rather not engrave your own number, a trusted friend's or family member's number works too. Just keep it up to date. If your dog also wears a council registration tag, an eZeClip holds both tags flat and quiet against the collar.

For a line-by-line guide with examples, see what details should be on a dog ID tag.

Choosing the right tag

The right tag is one that stays readable and stays on. Stainless steel is the toughest choice for dogs who swim at the beach, dig or chew. Aluminium is light enough for small dogs and puppies. Brass and enamel designs add a bit of personality. A double-sided tag gives you room for everything without going up a size.

Our guide on how to choose the right pet tag compares materials, shapes and sizes in more detail. If you've got a new puppy, our new puppy checklist explains when to get their first tag.

Going further with a SmartTag

A QR-code SmartTag adds an online profile to your dog's engraved tag. A finder scans the code with any smartphone, with no app needed, and sees your contact numbers, vet details and medical notes. You can update the profile any time you move or change your number. Keep the details your council requires engraved on the tag too.

Keep your dog's details up to date

• Moved house or changed your number? Order a new tag, and update your microchip registry and council registration on the same day. If you're not sure which registry your dog's chip is on, Pet Address can tell you.
• Check the tag every few months. If the engraving is wearing or the split ring is loose, replace it before it fails.
• Check the collar fit. You should be able to slide two fingers underneath, and no more.

A small tag that does a big job

A dog tag costs less than a bag of dog food, and it's the one thing that lets anyone who finds your dog bring them straight home. Every personalised dog ID tag from Pet-Tags comes with free laser engraving, free postage and a 5-year guarantee, and is dispatched from Adelaide within 24 hours on business days.