Why you should have your dog or cat identified

You've just adopted Vanille from the local Animal Protection Society (SPA) shelter . The little Siamese cat, abandoned by her former owners, is acting up in her carrier. She's received her first vaccinations against herpesvirus, typhus, and coryza, among other common feline diseases, but booster shots, at your expense, will soon be necessary at the vet. This is an opportunity, during this first visit, to have your feline microchipped or tattooed, as it hasn't been previously.

Since 2012, it has been a legal obligation: every owner of a cat, but also of a dog (since 1999) and a ferret must have their animal identified in order to be officially recognized as its owner. And the seventh National Identification Week from June 16 to 22 is an opportunity for a reminder.

However, only approved veterinarians and tattooists are authorized to carry out identification, by affixing an electronic chip the size of a grain of rice or by writing a series of numbers.