An anonymous reader has left a comment about using permanent tattoo ink to mark spayed-neutered return-to-colony cats. I am very interested in this so that we don’t have to incur an extra wound by tipping the ear, which also reduces the chances of a cat being adopted later. If we can get hold of this permanent tattoo ink, we can use it even on our own cats (in case territorial problems cause them to run away next time).
There has been cases of adopted cats running away after some time due to certain changes in the home environment.
If anyone of you know of where this kind of ink can be purchased in Malaysia, please do share the information.
http://www.sheltermedicine.vet.cornell.edu//spayNeuter/tattoo/
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3 responses to “Permanent tattoo ink to mark spayed-neutered cats”
From http://www.shamrockvetclinic.ca/tattoos.pdf
Veterinarians, SPCA Stress Importance Of Tattoos
By Beth Scott, Record Staff Writer
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A little ink can help bring a lost pet home.
Pet tattoo identification has been around since the B.C. Veterinary Medical Association and the B.C. SPCA first established the program in 1987.
But despite the program's success in its almost two decades of service, Shamrock Veterinary Clinic Animal Health Technologist, Cris Caumartin, said there seems to remain a few misconceptions about it.
"People are saying 'no' to the tattoo as they are not sure what it's all about," she said. "But tattoos are a very effective form of identification; they're highly visible and permanent you can't lose a tattoo."
She said the goal of the program is to quickly and easily reunite lost animals with their caregivers and it's a program that has a proven track record.
Caumartin said in their clinic alone there are five to six lost animals per month that get traced back to their owners because of the tattoo.
For the most part pet tattoos are offered as a complimentary service when the veterinarian spays or
neuters your pet (some clinics do charge a small fee). The tattoo process is similar to that provided to people who are looking for body art but in this case the image is not decorative but a series of letters and numbers
applied to the right ear or abdomen, she said.
The letters and numbers signify a code of sorts allowing a veterinarian or the SPCA to access specific information as to where and when the animal was spayed or neutered and thus allowing them to relocate the pet with their owner, she said.
However, in order for the program to be effective it is important to inform your veterinarian if you move.
Comox Valley SPCA Manager Marianne Milton said "the pet tattoo program is the only way to go" in order to keep track of your family friend.
"When a lost or injured pet is found out on the road, the tattoo gives handlers the fastest means available to locate the owner," she said. "Almost every owner is found because of the tattoo. The only snag is when the owner moves and doesn't inform the veterinarian.
"However, if an owner calls in looking for a lost pet and tells
us where the tattoo was done, we can match it up to the pet if we have it here."
According to Dr. Bruce Renooy, of Van Isle Veterinary Hospital as well as the Comox Valley SPCA on-site veterinarian, cats and dogs that come into the shelter will get their own tattoo when they are spayed and neutered if so required.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. an open house and plant sale is to be held at the Comox Valley SPCA.
Renooy, said the open house will be a perfect time for anyone looking for more information on pet tattoos to ask.
No one would argue that a collar with an ID tag listing the owner's name address and phone number would provide the fastest way to reunite a lost dog with his owner.
Unfortunately, tags can come off (or be taken off) of collars, and collars can come off (or be taken off) of dogs, either in the process of the dog escaping or by some one intent on stealing the dog.
So a more permanent method is needed. Cheers to the Canadian Kennel Club for requiring tattoos on all registered puppies and dogs!
The American Kennel Club seems to be endorsing use of the microchip, but does not require any form of permanent identification.
A microchip implanted under the dog's skin is another option. The disadvantage is that it is not readily apparent to the person finding the dog (or stealing the dog) that there is a microchip implanted.
If the lost dog is taken to a dog pound, humane society, or veterinarian, he might then be scanned for the presence of a microchip.
However, perhaps a survey of those in your area would reveal that some of them do not yet have the equipment to do so.
If the dog is stolen, the microchip may never be discovered and will only be of value if you find someone in possession of your dog and you need to prove that it's your dog.
If the thief tries to sell the dog to a research lab, it will probably be checked then for a microchip and hopefully you will get your dog back, and perhaps the thief will be caught.
When you register the microchip number you can get a collar tag that indicates your dog is microchipped which may serve as a deterrent to a thief.
From Metro Denver Shelte: FAQ on spay/neuter procedures at animal shelters in the Denver metro area
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Female cats: An incision is made on the abdomen. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. The incision is closed using 2 layers of absorbable suture.
The skin is tattooed then sealed with a layer of surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been spayed.
Male dogs: Both testicles are removed through an incision made in the scrotum. In young/small dogs tattoo ink is applied and the incision is sealed with surgical tissue adhesive.
In large dogs the incision is sutured under the skin, then tattooed and sealed with surgical tissue adhesive. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been neutered.
Female dogs: An incision is made on the abdomen. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. The incision is closed using 2 layers of absorbable suture.
The skin is tattooed then sealed with a layer of surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been spayed.
Male Rabbits: Each testicle is removed through a separate incision on the scrotum. The incisions are tattooed and sealed with surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary.
The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been neutered.
Female Rabbits: An incision is made on the abdomen. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. The incision is closed using 2 layers of absorbable suture.
The skin is tattooed then sealed with a layer of surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been spayed.
QUESTION: DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY ANIMAL TATTOOED?
Yes, if you don’t want the tattoo, you will have to go elsewhere for the surgery.
The purpose of the tattoo is to provide positive identification that the pet has been surgically altered.
This will help prevent unnecessary surgery in the future if the pet should ever find its way into the shelter system.