Anywho, back to subject at hand. Jesse and I both don't really like the idea or agree with implanting any type of Microchip into an animal because we just don't like the 'idea' or where it may one day lead, or may already be in place; microchipping your children, mentally challenged people, or the like. So we accidentally and fortunately ran across this PetSafe I.D. Rescue Collar. The only downsize about this collar is 1) that we only found it in the large dog size which even with it's adjustable size straps to make it smaller, even the smallest size for now is too large for our puppy, so we'll have to just wait until she is a bit bigger, which I'm sure won't take long with the way she is growing now....
Here is a couple of photo's I took of my actual laptop screen showing the Easy Set Up Wizard screen for this PetSafe I.D. Rescue Collar (As you can see there are additional tabs at the top that you fill in with information about your pet as well.):
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- Hidden inside each lightweight collar is a simple USB flash drive that stores all of your pet’s personalized data. If a pet wearing the PetSafe Micro I.D. Rescue Collar is ever lost, the memory stick can be plugged right into any computer to identify the pet in the rescuer’s home—no need for an inconvenient vet visit to scan anything like the inplanted Micro Chips! While contact is made with the owner, a rescuer can access pet care instructions to follow in the mean time.
Naturally my husband and I don't want to instill a spirit of fear into our kids, but as it is facts are facts and in 2009 approx. over 700,000 children went missing between the ages of 12-18 in the US (and those are just the ones counted, NOT including those children who may be neglected and left going unreported as MIA), according to the Missing Childrens Department and The U.S. Department of Justice.
Here are a few facts to give you an idea for the incredible 'epidemic' this serious parents nightmare has turned into. *
The U.S. Department of Justice reportsOffice of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) .
- 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.
- 203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.
- 5115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.)
8,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.
Other Missing Children Statistics Included:
- “…A child goes missing every 40 seconds in the U.S, over 2,100 per day
- In excess of 800,000 children are reported missing each year
- Another 500,000 go missing without ever being reported…” Since 1997, the AMBER Alert program has been credited with the safe recovery of 495 children. To date there is a network of 120 AMBER Plans across the country. PRAISE THE LORD FOR THESE CHILDREN FOUND THROUGH ORGINAZATIONS LIKE AMBER ALERTS and THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN'S HOTLINE AT (1-800-THE-LOST®)
*According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
So from the time our children were of walking age we began using by first adding little 'bells' tied to the shoelaces. This way anytime we ran a short, quick errand into a store and one of them 'toddled' off a bit we could quickly and easily locate them just by listening for 'their' bells tied to their laces. This was just a simple prevention method we used at the time because we didn't have much money. You can find these little bells or similar bells at any craft, Walmart, Target or other retail store for just about $2.00 for a bag of about 10-20 bells. I must warn you however that with walking aged babies and toddlers that should the bells come off they can cause a chocking hazard so if you are low on funds and still want to use this cheap but starting tip to keep a track of your kids should they toddler away a few feet, make certain you tied the laces super tight to prevent it coming off and even then and always keep a VERY close eye on your baby/toddler (always) but when wearing these bells on the shoe. If your baby/toddler is able to understand just a few words then try to always repeat to him/her when adding the bells that they are not for putting in the mouth or playing with, as surely, especially the first initial times you add them to the shoe, your child will naturally want to grab and pull on them, which is why I stated earlier to make sure you make a good, solid, TIGHT, double tied shoelace bow or knot even.
Now that our kids are older (4 & 6) we no longer use the bells but have ordered sets of Shoe ID Tags, which comes in a pack of two, one for each foot. The special permanent and waterpoof pen is available for purchase for $2.00 extra. for you to use to print vital information on the inside of the Tag regarding your child's information.
We also bought about 2 years ago and use The Teddy Bear Child Locator, which comes in various colors.
- We mainly use these when traveling out of town or when planning a visit to any crowded public events like The Rodeo, The Strawberry Festival, Mall, and usually anytime we go shopping during high traffic times such as during Christmas, School Supply Shopping before school season begins, or a crowded park. The teddy bear child personal safety alarm receiver (water resistant) delivers a 88db intermittent chirp/beeping sound that functions up to 150 feet away from the keychain transmitter. Lets you "hear" where your child is. Requires 2 "CR2032" batteries and 1 "mini 12 V" extended life battery (all included). Perfect safety device for children ages 1-7. Product Dimension: 3" x 2.25" plus clip. NEW ALERT FEATURE causes the transmitter to chirp loudly every time your child wanders beyond 20-30 foot range.
- You can find all of the mentioned features I listed in this post at these links listed below. They are all fairly affordable and easy to use: Pet Rescue I.D. at PetSafe Mircro ID Rescue Collar Child Safety Products at My Precious Kid. If you have any other ideas of suggestions you've heard of that are affordable (or not but GREAT and VALIDATED to share I'm sure we'd all love to hear about these from you! Thanks!
