To prevent a much-loved family pet from ending his days in fear and agony, the best method of prevention is tattooing.  Many dog clubs and veterinarians provide tattoo identification.  By law, no laboratory may use a dog bearing a tattoo.   Although some owners tattoo on the inside of the ear, most choose the inside of the rear thigh.  An ear can be easily cut off.

Most American owners use their social security number, which is usually put on the inside of the dog's right hind thigh.  Some use the dog's registration number, which goes on the inside of the left rear thigh.  The area is first shaved and numbed.  There is no pain, although a few dogs do not like the buzzing sound.

DO NOT TATTOO YOUR PET WITHOUT REGISTERING THE NUMBER. AN UNREGISTERED TATTOO IS AN UNTRACEABLE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.

Since 1966, NDR has supervised, directed, conducted, or overseen the tattooing of more than 6 million animals. To our knowledge, there never has been a serious skin infection as a result of this safe procedure.

WHAT NUMBER SHOULD YOU HAVE TATTOOED ON YOUR PET?

NDR will register any letter and/or number sequence that previously has been tattooed on a pet. Each type of tattoo number has stronger and weaker points, but they all work if they are registered with NDR.

The Social Security number has been used successfully for unique pet identification. Its nine-digit sequence is easily recognized, and your number will never be used by another person. Because your Social Security number is yours for a lifetime, it is a very dependable number to register. The Social Security Administration is prohibited by law from divulging any information to anyone about anyone, for any reason. Calling them about finding a tattooed dog is useless. Maintaining owner/tattoo information is the job of the National Dog Registry. Should a person transfer ownership of a pet bearing a Social Security number tattoo, we suggest adding the initials of the new owner to the tattoo and having the new sequence registered with NDR. This creates a unique number for that pet. If you are a breeder, pet shop, or kennel operator, contact NDR for information about our special programs.

Kennel club numbers is a good tattoo number for purebred animals. While the kennel clubs maintain records on ownership, they are not necessarily available on a 24-7 basis, nor do their records contain certain information necessary to return a pet. NDR registers kennel club numbers, but suggests that the letters "NDR" be added at the beginning of the number sequence.

Because most pets are lost during evening hours, holidays, weekends, and vacations, your tattoo or implant information must be easy to reach. The NDR staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The main function of the NDR hotline (800/NDR-DOGS) is to track owner information on found tattooed pets.

NDR unique computer generated numbers may be obtained by calling our main office. Special numbering sequences also are available for shelters, rescue groups, and veterinary clinics.

Telephone numbers, post office box numbers, and dates--Although we will accept these numbers, we do not recommend them. Please call NDR if you have any questions or need advice about selecting an appropriate identification for your pet's tattoo  

Tattoos are worthless unless listed in a national tattoo data
base such as Tattoo A Pet or The National Dog Registry.

According to the National Dog Registry social security numbers and or telephone numbers should not be used!  
First, the Social Security Administration has little information on anyone who is not actively collecting benefits and is prohibited by law from divulging any information, except in very special situations. A Driver’s License Number or telephone number is equally ineffective.

For more info on this subject click here:  National Dog Registry

Reference:    Rottweilers by Anna Katherine Nicholas    #1 Best Selling Rottweiler Book