The National Dog Registry Tattoo Procedure

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR PET IS TATTOOED

If the tattooer you choose adheres closely to the NDR procedure, you may be asked to help hold your pet while you vocally comfort and reassure it.

Your pet is placed on its side while you secure its head and front paws (the tattooer will show you how). The tattooer's assistant will hold your pet's rear paws.

The area for the tattoo is shaved and disinfected with alcohol. A light layer of Vaseline is applied to the area so the tattoo marker will move smoothly over the surface of the skin

The tattoo number is applied.

The area is cleansed with Phisoderm or another disinfecting soap. The soap also removes excess ink from the skin. Any numbers that are not clear are retouched at this time.

A final layer of Vaseline is applied over the finished tattoo.
The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.

A very fine scab (barely visible) will form over the tattoo numbers. It will fall off in 24-48 hours. It is not unusual for some redness to appear around the newly-formed tattoo numbers. Don't worry! This is normal. If your pet licks off the Vaseline, you may reapply it. Your pet may resume all normal activities immediately after tattooing. Always keep the area scissored or clipped. It is imperative that the tattoo be seen by the finder should your pet become lost.

DO NOT TATTOO YOUR PET WITHOUT REGISTERING THE NUMBER. AN UNREGISTERED TATTOO IS AN UNTRACEABLE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.

Since 1966, NDR has supervised, directed, conducted, or overseen the tattooing of more than 6 million animals. To our knowledge, there never has been a serious skin infection as a result of this safe procedure.

WHAT NUMBER SHOULD YOU HAVE TATTOOED ON YOUR PET?

NDR will register any letter and/or number sequence that previously has been tattooed on a pet. Each type of tattoo number has stronger and weaker points, but they all work if they are registered with NDR.

The Social Security number has been used successfully for unique pet identification. Its nine-digit sequence is easily recognized, and your number will never be used by another person. Because your Social Security number is yours for a lifetime, it is a very dependable number to register. The Social Security Administration is prohibited by law from divulging any information to anyone about anyone, for any reason. Calling them about finding a tattooed dog is useless. Maintaining owner/tattoo information is the job of the National Dog Registry. Should a person transfer ownership of a pet bearing a Social Security number tattoo, we suggest adding the initials of the new owner to the tattoo and having the new sequence registered with NDR. This creates a unique number for that pet. If you are a breeder, pet shop, or kennel operator, contact NDR for information about our special programs.

Kennel club numbers is a good tattoo number for purebred animals. While the kennel clubs maintain records on ownership, they are not necessarily available on a 24-7 basis, nor do their records contain certain information necessary to return a pet. NDR registers kennel club numbers, but suggests that the letters "NDR" be added at the beginning of the number sequence.

Because most pets are lost during evening hours, holidays, weekends, and vacations, your tattoo or implant information must be easy to reach. The NDR staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The main function of the NDR hotline (800/NDR-DOGS) is to track owner information on found tattooed pets.

NDR unique computer generated numbers may be obtained by calling our main office. Special numbering sequences also are available for shelters, rescue groups, and veterinary clinics.

Telephone numbers, post office box numbers, and dates--Although we will accept these numbers, we do not recommend them. Please call NDR if you have any questions or need advice about selecting an appropriate identification for your pet's tattoo.