Whether you choose ‘glamour tags’ or not, pet licenses still serve poignant purpose

/by
Winston

Pasadena Humane alum Winston with designer license.

 

In the 32 years my husband and I have been married, I have only once asked for jewelry as a gift. For our 25th anniversary, I received a pair of diamond stud earrings. I love them because they go with everything and make my life easier. I never have to decide in the morning what earrings to wear, and I never take them off at night. Easy!

I don’t crave expensive jewels, for the most part, although I do love tasteful costume necklaces. It’s an inexpensive way to add a little bling to my day, and I’ve also found a way to add a little bling for my best friend Sueshi, too: designer dog tags.

For years, Sueshi wore a little pink tag in the shape of a dog bone with our Virginia address and contact information carefully engraved. Then, when we moved to Pasadena, we switched her to a simple Pasadena Humane round blue tag.

Now, as they say, the sky is the limit. We can get dog tags in almost any shape or color, suited to the season or holiday, embossed with our favorite sports teams’ mascots, crafted with creative slogans (Got Treats?), waving the stars and stripes, or simply identifying Sueshi as our pet.

In 2021, Pasadena Humane, along with many other shelters, began partnering with DocuPet, an easy-to-use, online licensing platform. Upload your pet’s paperwork, pay the licensing fee, receive a free Pasadena Humane tag, or choose from a wide variety of designer tags, all from the comfort of your own home.

While we shouldn’t need it, the designer tags provide much greater incentive to do the right thing and get our pets licensed.

I’m often asked by well-meaning pet owners if pet licenses are necessary. The simple answer is YES. And here’s why:

It’s the law. California law requires all dogs 4 months or older to be licensed. Some areas also require licenses for cats.

A pet license promotes health and well-being of pets and people. Pet licenses prove that your dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies, a deadly disease that can affect animals and humans.

Licenses help lost pets reunite with their owners. A license tag serves as a form of identification. If your missing pet finds its way to a shelter or vet’s office, their pet license number will be linked back to you.

Purchasing a license helps pets in need. Proceeds from pet licenses often help fund animal shelter programs and services. Pasadena Humane receives 100% of license fees in the cities where we issue pet licenses. In addition, we receive a percentage of all designer tag purchases.

Pasadena Humane issues dog licenses in the cities of Pasadena, Arcadia, La Cañada-Flintridge, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena. We issue both dog and cat licenses in Bradbury and Monrovia.

Ready to buy or renew your pet’s license? Visit your local shelter or city’s website to learn how. Significant discounts are usually offered for pets that are spayed or neutered. Purchasing or renewing your pet’s license has never been easier or more fun. In addition to doing the right thing, you can enjoy a little shopping to find just the right bling.