Shelby's Tattoo
Shelby has the number seven tattooed in his left ear -- its a series of eight small green dots that make up the number 7. Is this a breeders mark of some kind? Is there a way to determine the breeder based on this mark if this is the case? Jen |
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| I know with the Canadian Kennel Club a unique tattoo series is assigned to breeders who use this form of identification. For example, my tattoo combination is MND. Now, every year is represented by a letter. For example this years letter is X. So, when I have a litter for 2010, puppy number one would have the tattoo number MND 1X, puppy number two would be MND 2X, and so on. The puppies unique tattoo number is also on the registration papers. Now for Shelby, my guess is that the rest of the tattoo has faded, since only the number 7 is still visible. Unfortunately with only that number it will be impossible to identify the breeder with just the number 7. Now if you were able to read the first letters, you would be able to identify where he came from. |
| It probably depends on where your baby originated. In the USA, people can order tattoo equipment online and tattoo their dogs themselves. http://leerburg.com/hauptner.htm http://www.jefferspet.com/small-animal- ... p/0030139/ |
| Thanks for the input, though I would venture to say that there is definietly not even a hint of any other character and the 7 that is there is crystal clear with not even a hint of fading. There's no hair on his little ear in this area and nothing to indicate old ink, however faded. Here's a pic of the tattoo and you'll see what I mean. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... 1419394798 In the meantime, I called HomeAgain, the tag people and they gave me the name of the vet and the date the chip was implanted. Right off the bat, I've discovered he's at least 18mos, as the chip was implanted last June, not the 12mos that rescue and our vet said that he is. Will give them a call during office hours tomorrow to see if I can get a little more info on the little guy. |
Awesome picture!  Boy, that's a huge tattoo... but I've never seen tattoos on dogs before. It kind of reminds me of what they might do with livestock. Wondering if a USDA breeder or farmer might have had him. So he was chipped before the rescue got him? Hoping you can get a little more information on your new boy.  I'm so happy to hear he's doing great! |
| Yes, he was chipped when we got him. Didn't know if NYC Animal Control did it before releasing him or what. Now, guessing that they must have done it when he was just a pup. My husband and I have been debating how far to take this --- what if the vet knows the original owner? What if the owner was distraught having to give him up? Would we want him/her to know that her dog ended up safe and sound and loved? Would we consider providing contact info? He says no way, no how -- to, excuse the pun, let sleeping dogs lie. I say that if I had to give up my dog (job loss, divorce?) would I want someone to do the same for me? I say to husband that its better than wondering where your dog ended up, if he's alive, if he's loved. Made for an interesting dinnertime conversation. Shelby was no doubt someone's beloved dog - he's so well trained and well-mannered. Someone loved him. I want to know as much of his backstory as possible. Your thoughts? |
| I am the same as you and like to know "the rest of the story" BUT, as I have learned with a few rescues sometimes it is better to let it go  Do have his microchip transferred asap! |
I think your husband is right- do not share your contact info. If you feel you must, use a generic Gmail or Yahoo email address. He belonged to a complete stranger that you know nothing about. Chances are, they're wonderful people but what if they're not? Then too, what if life suddenly changed again and they ask for their dog back or show up on your doorstep unannounced?  Someone's been posting ads on Craigslist over the past month or so... they're trying to find an OES they rehomed a year before. I guess you need to ask yourself whether his past really matters if you aren't having any problems. His medical history is probably most important. You have the vet's contact info, ask the vet to pass along that he's in a new loving home. I do understand wanting a new dog's history... I would kind of like to know all of Panda's past. Just my two cents. Others here may post a different view. |
| Two things: I remember back in 1994, a friend of mine got a Siberian Husky. She had her social security number tatooed on the dog's inner thigh. This was the time before chipping. And about the chip. What if the previous owner lost Shelby and they've been looking for him since? Would you be ready to give him back to the original owner? Keep that in mind. |
| Thanks for the input -- I agree with all of your points. Prudence is in order and I will certainly go to great lengths to protect our privacy. |
| I am sure the shelter scanned him if they knew he had one (they may even have done it themselves) He may have never been registered and the chip company will have to contact the previous owner to have him turned over to you! Don't freak though, a lot of tims breeders do the chipping themselves and the owners fail to register. Wasn't he an owner surrender?? |
| Another thought I had: What if he was taken from the original owner by animal control, and when you call the original owner, they give you a sob story about how they lost him (basically they lie to you)? IDK. I'd let sleeping dogs lie on this one. |
| So, slowly I proceed -- Called the vet and was told that his chip was implanted 5/20/09 (HomeAgain chip company had told me it was reported to them 6/09, so this makes sense). They said at the time he was not neutered, nor did he receive shots or any other care from them. They gave me a female's first and last name as the person who brought him in. Wondering if she is the breeder or an owner. So, my little guy is actually much closer to 2 than we thought and I;m thrilled to have an actual birthday for him, if nothing else. Wondering if I can somehow look up his breeder based on the general area (northeast/NYC), his ear tattoo and his birthdate. Going to do a little cyber-snooping on that female name as well. |
| One more thing to consider... Some breeders require a dog be returned to them if for any reason the buyer can't keep him/her. There may be a written contract requiring this. Still, some buyers don't uphold the contract and breeders don't always stay in touch with their buyers. Some breeders might like to get him back so they can resell him. Do some snooping online but I wouldn't contact anyone... just love your boy for who he is at the moment and who he will later become.  |
| Surprised they gave you a name. Just do the cyber-snooping. |
I agree with all the above comments. I would love to know more about my Bella's history not only to check for health issues but I would love to meet some of her siblings. That being said, other than a lot of lurking online and snooping behind the wall of a computer I wouldn't do anything more since I would be heartbroken if someone told me I had to give her back because of a contract. I'd be the type to go to family court to fight for custody.  |
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