Whether you'll be globetrotting with your four-legged friend or loading up the car and hitting the road, prepping your pet with some form of identification will put your mind at ease if he or she decides to explore on their own.
The Humane Society recommends that your dog or cat be fitted with an ID tag, securely attached to a collar. The tag should include your current contact information, as well as a phone number for a trusted friend or relative. With an ID, if your pet is picked up by a shelter, they will know immediately that your beloved isn't homeless.
Today, in addition to tags, it's become increasingly common to have your pet microchipped. A microchip is a device, the size of a grain of rice, that get's implanted under your pet’s skin. The chip, when scanned reveals your pet’s unique ID number as well as your contact information.
To date, many countries require pets to be microchipped. As a result, this will be yet another rule you must satisfy to bring your friend abroad. Keep in mind, the chip must meet ISO or International Standards Organization specifications otherwise the chip cannot be read internationally.
For added protection be sure to pack a copy of your pet's unique chip number as well as the name and contact information of the monitoring company the chip is registered with. For extra peace of mind tuck a few snapshots of your pet in your suitcase. It will make describing your pet easier if the worst case scenario should unfold.