Being a responsible pet owner entails a lot of tasks to accomplish, papers to fill out, and clinic visits. Although this is a very tedious responsibility and oftentimes you will encounter stressful situations, it pays to be a responsible dog owner.
Part of being a responsible dog owner is registering your dog. If you do not know exactly how and why you need to register your dog then read on.
WHY REGISTER?
Registering your dog has plenty of benefits for both your dog and you as an owner. It gives you the proof of ownership along with the security of putting a microchip to your dog. If for any reason you have to rehome your dog, don’t forget that you will need to change the details on the microchip.
It also allows your dog to participate in events and competitions. Having a registered and validated pedigree will add value to your dog in case you will make him join competitions. This will benefit your dog security and a wide range of activities to enjoy.
Registering your dog will also help maintain birth records and ensure that his pedigree is intact to the next generation for purebred dogs.
WHERE TO REGISTER?
Registration varies depending on your location. It is best to call your local shelter or authorities for animal protection to ask for a reputable registry. There are also specific registries for different dogs such as service dogs and different breeds such as rare breeds or breed-specific registries.
Avoid non-reputable or suspicious registries at all costs. Make sure to check their credentials and do not go for a registry that seems too lenient when it comes to papers.
A reputable registry will ask for valid proof of pedigree and has a code of ethics that registrants are required to follow. Your vet and your breeder or even friends that have registration could recommend a reputable and reliable registry for your dog. There are also online registry options. Just make sure they are reputable and licensed to give a certificate of dog registration.
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
Different registries may vary with their application format and procedures but will generally require the pertinent documents.
Prepare all the information, papers, and photos that might be needed for the application such as:
- BreedName
- Sex
- Date of birth
- Dog’s breeder
- Pedigree certificate
- Photos of your dog
- Valid proof of your disability (for service dogs)
- Registration fee
WAITING AND RECEIVING YOUR CERTIFICATE
Every registry may have different processing times and may take days up to weeks for you to receive your certificate. Just make sure to follow up on your registry to check the progress of your application.
After you receive your dog’s registration certificate, examine it, and read through all the information written on it. If there are any errors on the certificate, immediately call your registry to correct it.
Registration is one of the most important pillars of a good purebred line of dogs. It is a record of your dog’s unique qualities and as well as his ancestry. It pays to have your dog registered and have his breed recognized by a registry.
