Add your pet to this (free) nationwide alert network

No one wants to experience the panic of losing their pet, but thanks to technology introduced in recent decades – particularly microchipping – the chance of finding your dog or cat if they go missing is much higher.

In addition to keeping your pet’s microchip up to date, you can also track them with a GPS tracker — or add them to FidoAlert, a free, nationwide pet alert network.

How does FidoAlert work?

Once you register your dog or cat for the service, they will be assigned a unique ID number and receive a free ID tag with their name, ID number and FidoAlert.com on one side of the tag and a QR code on the other.

The label does not contain any of your personal information.

If your pet is missing and someone finds it, they can scan the QR code or enter their ID number on the website to report it as found. Once this happens, you and your emergency contacts will be notified via text and email.

But you don’t have to wait for a report: You can also report your pet missing on the FidoAlert website. This will automatically send a text message with a photo of your dog or cat to everyone in the network within a few miles of where your pet was last seen, letting people know to keep an eye out for them.

According to the company, there are currently 1.3 million pet owners in the United States registered in the FidoAlert registry.

The digital flyer

Once you report your lost pet through FidoAlert, in addition to the SMS message, the service also generates a special website with a custom URL containing your pet’s name, photo and other basic information – the digital equivalent of a “missing dog” flyer. It also includes the date, time and location the animal was last seen, as well as the breed, coat color and any special markings.

This allows you to extend your search to other pet owners who are part of the network. You have the option to text the link to family, friends and neighbors and post it on social media for an even wider reach. This feature allows you to find your pet even if it is lost and not wearing its collar with the ID tag.

How to add your pet to the registry and get a free ID tag

To add your pets to the nationwide registry and get a free ID tag, visit the FidoAlert website and click on the red box that says “Get Your Free Pet ID and Tag.” You’ll be prompted to create an account with PetScreening.com – FidoAlert’s parent company – and then complete your registration with your address, cell phone number and information about your pet.

Why is this service free?

Of course, like anything “free” on the Internet, you pay for FidoAlert by providing the company with data about you and your pet. According to the FidoAlert website, PetScreening.com’s revenue covers the costs of producing the personalized pet tags, shipping them, and sending the SMS alerts of lost and found items to members of the network. According to the company, the ID tags and service are always provided free of charge.