The American Humane Association’s Every Day is Tag Day™ kicks off this year on Saturday, April 5. Each year, millions of cherished pets get lost and end up in the care of animal shelters. But sadly, many are never reunited with their families. To help fight this problem, American Humane encourages pet owners to provide pets with an ID tag.

Make sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag, rabies vaccination tag and city license. Include a contact name, address, and daytime and evening phone number. Consider providing a phone number for an alternate contact like a neighbor or family member, in case you can’t be reached. And don’t forget to update your pet’s tags when you move. Also consider microchipping your pet to increase the likelihood that you and he will be reunited if he is ever lost.

On our daily park walk with our rescue Siberian Nikita, more frequently than not, the lost or abandoned dog crosses our path. Sometimes we can do no more than leave food behind when the dog will not allow us to get close, otherwise Niki acquires a house quest until we can find our new friend a permanent home. Presently, Danielle at Dog Works Training (visit her site below) is ready to place Holly, our recent rescue from the Veterans park in Sylmar.