In this modern era, pets have become our main priority. There is at least a pet in almost every home. One of the most popular pets are dogs. Many people have their own reasons why they prefer to have dogs as their pets instead of other popular pets such as cats, birds, rabbits, or so on.
The increase of importance of dogs in our lives have made many pet owners seek birth certificates for their pets. These people think that having a birth certificate for their dogs is as important as having a birth certificate for themselves. If you are one of those who have a dog as your pet, you might wonder if your dog can have a birth certificate just like you. Keep reading if you want to find the answer and to be guided to get one.
Possibility of Getting a Birth Certificate for Dogs
For anyone who is wondering if it is possible to get a birth certificate for your dog, the short answer to the question is yes. You can get a birth certificate for your dog when you first become its owner or after you become its owner for a while.
Benefits of a Birth Certificate for Dogs
There are a few reasons why you should get a birth certificate for your dog, such as:
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- Proof of ownership: Holding a birth certificate of a dog means you are the legal owner of that dog. Having one is important, especially if your dog is not purebred. If one day you need to prove that you are the owner of your dog, for example when your dog is lost or stolen, you can just show this document to prove the ownership. It should be noted that this kind of document is officially recognized in some states, meaning it is not officially recognized in some others. When you need to travel somewhere, you might also need to show the authorities the birth certificate of your dog to prove that the dog is yours.
- Personal record: As the owner of the dog, you might want to have a record of your dog’s details for several reasons, including for sentimental records or you just want to keep the records for yourself.
- Licensing requirements: In some states, pets like your dog have to be registered. To be able to register your dog, you have to get a pet birth record, which is a birth certificate. If you are the owner of the dog, especially if your dog is considered a service dog or therapy dog, you should make sure to get a birth certificate to register your dog.
- Unexpected circumstances: Even though you are the owner of your dog, you are not always on its side. Basically, there might be a time when you are away from your dog or if your condition makes it impossible for you to be around it. In the case when your dog needs to be cared for while you are unable to do it, you can ask others to do it for you with a birth certificate that your dog has.
Format of a Birth Certificate for Dogs
Depending on the state or city you live in, the format of a birth certificate for dogs may vary. In general, the information that is included in the certificate are:
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- The details of the dog: Date of birth, breed, weight, familial lineage, medical conditions, any medications to take, contact information of veterinarian, and some other details about the dog
- The details of the owner: Name, address, telephone number, and some other details about the owner
Aside from these two, sometimes, a birth certificate for dogs also features a picture of the dog printed when the one who makes the certificate prints the document.
Fee of Getting a Birth Certificate for Dogs
Just like the format and the method to get a birth certificate for dogs, fees to get one also varies, depending on where you apply for it and the state you are in. If you prefer to get one online, the fee that you have to pay also varies. For examples, dogpapers.com offers several packages for those who want to get a birth certificate for their dogs, such as:
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- Silver Package Basic Dog Registration & Ebook: $45.00
- Gold Package Deluxe Registration with Gold Foil Seal: $55.00
- Basic Dog Registration: $35.00
- Deluxe Dog Registration with Gold Foil Seal: $45.00
If you do not have a budget to get a birth certificate for your dog, there is nothing to worry because there are dozens of websites that offer it for free.
Getting a Birth Certificate for Your Dog
The instructions to follow to be able to get a birth certificate for your dog may vary, depending on the state you are in. In general, the guide to follow is as follows:
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- The first thing that you need to do is to find the exact date when your dog was born. If you have no idea the exact date, you are suggested to ask a veterinarian to estimate it for you.
- Then, collect the basic information about your dog, including its name, its birth of date, its birthplace, its weight, its height, and the names of its parents. If your dog has a microchip, do not forget to include the microchip number too.
- Now, check the regulations in your state. You should find out whether the birth certificate for pets is recognized in your state.
- If your state officially recognizes the birth certificate for pets, you are advised to contact your local government office to ask for a guide on how to apply for it. Apart from your local government office, you can also ask for the same thing to the animal control agency.
For those who want to get a birth certificate for your dog online, you have tons of websites to choose from. One of the most recommended is called Milk Bone. This one is recommended because you can get a birth certificate for your dog without having to spend any. It means the service is free. Here is step by step to follow to get a free birth certificate for your dog from Milk Bone:
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- Firstly, you should go to the page where you will be able to get a birth certificate for your dog from Milk Bone at https://www.milkbone.com/dog-birthdays/cert-generator.
- When you are on the page, enter your dog’s name and click Next.
- Then, choose “BIRTHDAY” since you want to create a birth certificate and then enter the birth date of your dog in MMDDYYYY format. Do not forget to press Next afterward.
- In the next step, you should enter your first and last name if you are the owner of the dog and click Next.
- After that, choose the flavor your dog prefers for a birthday treat and click Next.
- Besides, you should also choose the one preferred by your dog between Belly Rubs, Ear Scratches, and Nose Boops.
- After clicking Next, you will be shown with the message on the screen saying that your dog’s stats are now Milk-Bone official.
- If you want to download the birth certificate of your dog from Milk Bone, you will need to sign up for its Birthday Club.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, it is possible for you to get a birth certificate for your dog. While it is possible, it is not a must to get one. A birth certificate for a dog is not more important than a birth certificate for humans. Some states officially recognize it as proof of ownership. On the other hand, this one only serves as memorabilia for the owner in some other states. There are several ways to get a birth certificate for your dog. One of the easiest is online.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
