How to help a lost pet get home.
The short answer
Make sure your pet is microchipped and your registered details are up to date, as the law requires for dogs and, in England, for cats. Dogs in public must also wear a collar and tag with your name and address. A QR identity can add a quick, private way for a finder to reach you. If your pet goes missing, act fast: search locally, call vets and your council, and post nearby.
Why this keeps happening
- Cats roam, dogs follow their noses, and both can bolt when frightened by fireworks, traffic or new surroundings.
- Moving house or holidays put pets in unfamiliar places.
- Out-of-date microchip details mean a scanned chip can’t reach the owner.
What actually helps (with or without Tagsy)
- Keep your microchip database details current whenever you move or change phone number.
- Check your dog’s collar tag is present and legible.
- Keep pets indoors or secure around fireworks and other loud events.
- If your pet goes missing, contact local vets, rescue centres and your council’s dog warden service.
- Search your immediate area first, especially sheds and garages for cats, and ask neighbours to check theirs.
- Have recent, clear photos ready to share.
Where a QR identity helps
A QR identity helps the person who finds your pet contact you quickly and privately with a phone camera, without waiting for a vet to scan a microchip. It’s an extra layer, not a substitute for a microchip or a legally required collar tag. Tagsy LABEL identity is available now.
Where Bluetooth finding helps
Bluetooth finding is designed for belongings like keys and bags, not for animals that roam beyond short range. That’s why PULSE isn’t positioned for pets. Location and activity for cats and dogs is what TRACK is being developed for.
When a product can’t help
A QR tag can’t show you where your pet is; it only helps once someone has found them and scanned it. It doesn’t replace a microchip. Collars and tags can come off. TRACK is in development, with no release date, specifications or prices yet.