Saved by a Nose

Every person’s fingerprints are so unique that they are used as an international means of identification. Did you know that your dog could be finger printed? Well, not exactly finger printed but nose printed. A company called ‘Dog Nose Id’ has developed a system of taking an imprint of your dog’s unique nasal swirls and whorls. Then it is scanned in to a computer.

A dog’s nose print is as individually unique as a person’s fingerprints.

Besides the nose imprint, a picture is taken of the pet and other important medical and personal information can be stored in their data bank. If your pet is ever lost, a nation wide alert is issued. Nose print technology is not new. It has been used by the Canadian equivalent of the American Kennel Club since 1938. The procedure is fast, painless and permanent.

Over 3.5 million dogs are needlessly euthanized yearly in the United States because they have become lost and the owner was unable to locate them.
All pets, even those who stay solely indoors, should always sport external identification. Because collars and tags can be lost or removed, it is a good idea to consider more permanent means of identifying your pet such as microchips. Microchips can be painless implanted under the skin. These small chips are not homing devices like those used in cars. Your veterinarian for a very nominal fee implants them. Tattoos can also be used but can be difficult to trace and not always visible in longer coated pets.

Over 3.5 million dogs are euthanized yearly because they became lost.

For more information on nose print identification, go to www.dognoseid.com