Engraved or QR code: which pet tag is right for your pet?
Both tag types can get a lost pet home. The right choice depends on how much information you want visible at a glance versus stored online.
Engraved tags vs QR code tags
An engraved tag puts your pet's name and phone number right on the metal. Anyone who finds your dog or cat can read it immediately, with no phone signal or app needed. The tradeoff is that engraving is fixed: if your number changes, you need a new tag.
A QR or code tag trades a little of that immediacy for flexibility. Scanning the code opens your pet's profile in the pet registry, which you can update any time your contact details change. If a finder can't scan, the code can also be looked up by hand in the registry. Many owners choose a tag that does both, a short engraving plus a QR code, and pair it with a microchip as a permanent backup that can't fall off the collar.
Not sure where to start? Browse pet ID tags by animal type, register a tag you already have, or read on for what to put on the tag itself.
Tag materials and protection
Standard tags
Engraved metal tags sized for a dog or cat collar, built for everyday wear.
Premium epoxy tags
A clear epoxy coating sits over the code and text so they resist scratching and fading.
Livestock tags
Durable, customizable tags built for herd and flock identification, inventory management, and recovery.
How a QR tag links to your pet's profile
1
Set up your pet's profile
Add your pet's details and your contact information to the registry.
2
Link the tag's code
The unique code on your tag gets connected to that profile.
3
A finder scans it
Any smartphone camera reads the code and opens the profile page. No app is required.
4
You're notified
The registry can alert you when your pet's tag is scanned or looked up.
What to put on your pet's tag
Keep it simple. Your pet's name is optional, but a working phone number is not. A second contact number helps if you're ever unreachable. If your pet also has a microchip, adding "microchipped" gives a vet or shelter a reason to scan for one.
Skip anything you would not want a stranger to have, such as your home address. A QR tag can hold more detail online than you'd want engraved in the open.
Pet tag questions, answered
Should I get an engraved tag or a QR code tag?
If you want your number readable at a glance with no phone needed, choose engraved. If you want to update your details without buying a new tag, choose QR. Many owners combine both on one tag.
What does the epoxy layer on a premium tag do?
It's a clear protective coating over the printed code and text, so they resist fading and scratching longer than a tag without it.
What should I engrave on my dog's tag?
A phone number is the essential piece. Your pet's name, a second contact number, and a note like "microchipped" are common additions.
How does a QR tag connect to my pet's online profile?
When you set up the tag, its code is linked to your pet's profile in the registry. Scanning the code opens that same profile, so it always shows your current contact details.
Ready to order a tag for your pet?
Browse dog, cat, and livestock tags, or set up a free registry profile first.