I've decided to get some dog tags for myself in the even of something happening to me (i.e. accident), so that my dogs aren't left to an unpleasant fate at home alone.  I'm just trying to figure out the info to put on them.

Tag #1 would be my name and first line of addy, and emergency contact name/number

For tag #2 I have:

if no reply
please
see to my dogs
caution:
may be scared

What do you think?  I did have "may be territorial" but I thought that in such an event that might leave me open to legal problems if, heaven forbid, one of the dogs was to bite an "intruder" as I would have acknowledged that I knew it could happen.  Obviously I do know it could happen - Remy and Soli are both very territorial - but as with the old "beware of the dog signs" I want to be careful.

Of course I hope the tags are never needed, but I thought they would be a good idea - a discussion on an emergency contact list on mobile phones got me thinking about it.  I usually forget my phone if I'm walking dogs (I know, bad idea in case something happens to me or them but I'm dreadful about it) so I figured having tags that were on me constantly would be a good idea.  Figured it would be even if I did have my phone on me, quick access to em. contact and all.

I know this is a bit of a mixed thread (i.e. only half relevant for this forum) but it's the dog aspect of it that I'm worrying about.

I think all responsible people think of the dogs if anything were to happen to them.  I live alone, and decided years ago that if I was ill, or even worse (dead.)  I wouldn't want the RSPCA carting my dogs off.  They just would not thrive in kennels with a concrete run.  They are used to dog mattresses, duvets and clean covers.  And, with the best will in the world, these understaffed places can't have the time to give your dogs the attention that they would get from you.
 
With this in mind, I went to see a solicitor, and made a will leaving my property - and the care of my dogs - to the Cinnamon Trust.  This was about 7 years ago, but I only recently contacted my vet about it, asking him to liaise with them on homing.  He knows my dogs, and would be best placed to advise them I feel.  By the way, the old girl ain't ready to snuff it yet, and plans to outlive most of her canines!  I have a card to keep in my purse, and a larger one for the mantelpiece.  Briefly, it says EMERGENCY In the event of accident, illness or death, arrangements have been made for my animals with the Cinnamon Trust. 

I had to fill in a card for each of my pets (Pet Profile) and there is room to let them know an awful lot about any peculiarities.  It gives my own vets personal details, and he has assured me that he would be available to assist the Trust, even if he was off duty.  This leaves my mind at rest, and I do understand your idea about the dog tags.  Probably other people have similar plans in place.  My own vet said that he has been called out to collect dogs because a client has been rushed to hospital, so I am assuming he can't be the only practise that does this.

I gave details of the dogs' breeders to my parents and sister, and to my husbands parents and brother, so they would know who to contact for help in such a situation. There was something in DW recently about a card you can carry like a donor card which gives information about dogs at home.

You can obtain 'Emergency Contact' cards amongst other things from The Cinnamon Trust. If you have not come across this organisation before, please do take 5 minutes to take a look at their website. They do some amazing work and you never know if you might need them some day :)

I got an emergency contact card from the PDSA, you keep it on you to let people know you have pets at home if you are in an accident.

Great idea, but I'd completely forget to take a card with me.  I very rarely have my wallet on me, even when I'm driving around (so shtuck if I break down!).

I'm not worried about how to get the info across - I'm worried about the actual wording of it, should someone need to attend to my dogs and get bitten by them trying to enter my property.  Of course I hope that wouldn't happen, but I'm thinking along the lines of how you shouldn't have a sign saying "beware of the dog" or similar as it implies you are aware that the dog is dangerous and can be liable.

Our Fire Department provides stickers for your doors and windows alerting emergency personnel to the presence of pets in the event of fire or some other required forced entry when you are not home.  Good idea to make up your own if you don't have some.

In reply to Nikita,

I understand what you mean about the wording on the tag, you don't want people to assume your dogs will be happy friendly bouncy dogs, but nor do you want to leave yourself exposed to lawsuits!!

How about 'may be wary of strangers' if the tag is big enough? This will suggest ot anyone entering your property that they should be a little bit cautious, but to me it doesn't imply that your dogs could be dangerous or agressive in any way.

I've been thinking about getting one of the cards from the PDSA, 'just in case' as well.

Hope that helps,

Claire

Im the same as you, rarely carry my purse, but the thought is there.

Do you have someone who knows the dogs who's contact details you could have on your dog tags ? at least that way they will know what to expect.

keronella, I did similar to you and made a will saying all of my estate to go towards looking after what animals I had and the rest to go to family.  I think I said approx £5k a year per dog to go to any of my close friends or family that I would trust with the dog for the rest of the dogs life.  the solicitor was looking at me like I was a total weirdo and I kept having to explain that I'm not a mad old dog lady.  I could see in his eyes he was thinking - not old but deffo a mad dog lady!

Hi Cheekychow, well at least I'm glad that I'm not the only mad dog lady!  My solicitor had that odd look in his eye, and it was so easy to read - it said "Eccentric old bu**er!"  He even checked out the Trust to make sure it was registered, although I suppose that's his job.  But I do have a lot of dogs, and I feel so strongly that they are my responsibility.  I would hope that by the time they carry me off to the happy hunting grounds, I wouldn't have more than a few toy breeds, but I feel so much happier that I've put plans in place.  Years ago, when I was married, my MIL died, and the family were asking who was going to take her dog to the animal shelter.  I couldn't see them do that, as if they were disposing of her old rubbish, and I took him on.  I suppose the memories of that stuck, and it has put my mind at rest knowing that my healthy, trained and happy dogs would go in foster homes rather than kennels.  They would be so bewildered to go in kennels when they've always lived in the house.

Keronella and admin,
I helped a friend of mine fill all the forms in for Cinamon regarding her 2 dogs, she was taken into hospital, dogs put into kennels and arrangements were made for her to go into nursing home, Sister rang Cinamon and was more or less told .......no fosterers in that area, no room for them or transport, sister said 'what shall I do' don't know/care! it's your problem.................!!!

Really!!!  I've actually met the lady who is the volunteer in this area.  And had the pleasure of meeting some of the dogs she has fostered.  My vet has had a lot of contact with the local volunteers and is impressed with them.  My vet has actually said that in the event of emergency, he would collect my dogs and temporarily look after them at the Veterinary Hospital until arrangements had been made.  He knows that going into kennels would not be an option for my dogs.

>>no fosterers in that area, no room for them or transport, sister said 'what shall I do' don't know/care! it's your problem.................!!!

I have never heard of that happening before and have had dealings with the trust for more years than I care to mention. I hope an official complaint was made? I would imagine that demand on the organisation is very high indeed. I suppose if they have no room and no volunteers or kennels in a said area, then there will be times when they can not help. Another reason why it would be worth asking if they need any help in your area :) People may not be able to foster or walk dogs for them, but there are so many other ways, that you may be able to help another animal lover in need. I would hope someone would help me if I was in trouble. Many people still do not know this organisation exists.

A Beware of the Dog sign does not increase or decrease your liability in a civil lawsuit.

It does not imply that a dog is necessarily dangerous, any more than "beware illegal video cassettes" by FACT suggest that you might be injured by one.

So there is absolutely no need to be afraid of putting up a Beware of the Dog sign, any more than you should be afraid of erecting a Beware moving machinery sign.