“This tag machine was given to us by a generous donor,” says Greater Androscoggin Humane Society’s Operations Manager, Zachary Black. “This individual wanted to see all pets leave with ID, in hopes of seeing an increase in our return-to-owner.”

Ever since GAHS started using this machine—which they got during the kick-off weekend of the 2011 $100K Challenge—every dog and cat who leaves the shelter goes out with an engraved pet ID tag. And the best part? Says Zach, “They are FREE to anyone. Some adopters will ask for additional tags for all of their pets at home. And many people are unsure of the new name for their pet at the time of adoption, so we put their phone number on one side and ask them to come back once they pick a name, and then we engrave the other side.”

Since receiving the machine, over 3,000 pets have been tagged—awesome work, GAHS!

For info on the ASPCA’s research that looks at the use of ID tags on dogs and cats, click here: http://www.aspcapro.org/aspca-research-retention-of-pet-id-tags.php

P.S. Did this photo remind anyone else of an Easy-Bake Oven!?