Best Pet ID Tags UK: What to Look for in 2026
Under UK law, dogs must be microchipped and wear a collar tag with the owner's name and address (postcode included) whenever in a public place. That's the legal minimum - but plenty of owners look beyond it, for good reason. A microchip only helps once your pet reaches a vet or shelter with a scanner. A tag is what actually gets a pet home directly, from whoever finds them first.
Engraved tags
The traditional option: a metal or plastic tag stamped with your pet's name, your phone number, and sometimes your address. Cheap, durable, and legally compliant if it includes your postcode. The trade-off is the same one drivers face with windscreen notes - your phone number is permanently visible to anyone who finds your pet, with no way to change or hide it without buying a new tag.
Microchips
Legally required for dogs in the UK, and increasingly common for cats too. A microchip is permanent and can't fall off, but it only works if whoever finds your pet takes them somewhere with a scanner - a vet, shelter, or some council services. It does nothing for the finder standing in a park with your dog and no idea what to do next.
QR code tags
A newer option that pairs with your dog or cat's collar: a small, weatherproof QR code that anyone can scan with a phone camera - no app, no scanner, no vet visit required. Scanning opens a page where the finder can message you directly and, if they choose, share their location. Your phone number is never shown.
How they compare
- Engraved tag: instant contact, but your number is permanently exposed
- Microchip: legally required and permanent, but only useful once a professional scans it
- QR code tag: instant contact for anyone with a phone, with your number kept private
What we'd recommend
The strongest setup for a UK pet owner combines all three: keep your dog microchipped (it's the law, and it's the fallback if a collar comes off), and use a QR code tag alongside an engraved tag with just your postcode, so you're both legally compliant and reachable without your phone number being public.