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Comment by Bev Levy on October 17, 2009 at 8:38am

I should add that we travel often with the dogs and Sparty (or Calamity Sparty as we often call him) has visited vets around the state due to some of his exploits. That is why I keep their record with me whenever we leave town!

Comment by Alice on October 16, 2009 at 4:29pm

Ok, I think I was mixing up the city license and the rabies tag then. It would actually be the city license I was referring to. I'm not sure what purpose it serves other than making the city money. Finnigan has a dog tag and a microchip, we just haven't gotten the city license yet.

Comment by Sarah C. on October 16, 2009 at 1:07pm

When we go on vacation I take a currect printout from the vet of all their record just in case, god forbid, something happens to them, a new vet would have all the info.
I keep their rabies and city tags in my wallet (i dont know why, they got stuffed in there), so I always have them at the dogpark. :3
I'll have all new concerns soon though, we're going to visit Calgary and I'll have to have dog-papers for my wee munchkins.

Comment by Gail and Ashton on October 16, 2009 at 12:58pm

I have a copy of my boys' shot records in each vehicle and they wear their rabies tags, city license, microchip tags and one with our info. :) We travel a lot and you never know what may come up. If we had to stop some place and needed to show that info it is nice to have all of that handy. The clinic I work at is not open 24 hours (we have emergency on call service) and I would hate to ask one of my co-workers to go in to fax that info off hours. I also carry a full first aid kit for the dogs. One time on a camping trip I actually used it on my husband when he cut his finger (required 20 stitches!) and when he showed up at the emergency room the staff were all giggling at his "vet wrapped" finger. LOL

To address Alice about what the rabies tag is for. This is for Washington state, but may also be the same for other states. :) First it is a quick way for people (vets, animal control, the general public, etc..) to see an animal has been vaccinated for rabies. It will also give the name of the clinic and year the vaccine was administered. There is also a number that is individual to each tag that links back to the animal's record. It's another form of identification for the pet if it were to get lost. It's very helpful in reuniting lost pets with owners.

Max, Kayoko & Wade L., as for the Health Certificates, usually they are required if traveling out of the country. Some airlines require them but I have never heard from any of our "snow bird" clients (usually going to Yuma. lol) that they have needed anything more than their vaccine certificates when traveling south for the winter. I have traveled though Washington, Oregon and California and have never had to show even my vaccine certificate when crossing state boarders.

Comment by Alice on October 16, 2009 at 12:24pm

I keep all of Finn's immunization records at home. We have not traveled with him yet but I guess it would be a good idea to bring along a copy if we did.

He does not have a rabies tag yet but he's had the shot of course. We will get the tag, but I honestly don't know what it is for. My family never used to license our dogs but I do remember when one of them got out and ended up at the humane society and they wouldn't let us take her home until we registered her. What purpose does it serve though?

Comment by Jane Christensen on October 16, 2009 at 8:44am

I bring mine if I travel out of state or once in awhile other places. FYI and rabies tags...I know our kennel club will only accept this as proof if it has the date it expires on the tag....mine don't say that. Mine still wear their tags but if something happened they could call my vet 24/7 and I have Livvy's papers in the car but I don't always use the same vehicle. It's a good idea but...

Comment by Bev Levy on October 16, 2009 at 7:25am

Mine wear their rabies tags and when we travel I bring the receipt from their last vet visit because it shows all their immunizations.

Comment by Beth on October 16, 2009 at 6:59am

My dogs wear their rabies tags, and Jack wears his dog license (Maddie didn't get hers yet). I don't carry their records, no. When they are boarded, of course, the kennel needs them.

With the other shots, for my peace of mind it's enough that I know what they have been vaccinated for and that they are up-to-date. Legally all you need is rabies.