Reuniting with my dog after two weeks away should have been pure joy. Instead, I found myself staring at a strange blue tattoo on her underside. How did this happen? Who did this? And most importantly – why? My search for answers revealed surprising facts about pet tattoos.
It turns out animal tattoos serve several purposes. Shelters often use them to mark spayed/neutered pets, preventing unnecessary surgeries. Some breeders tattoo identification numbers. The small blue mark on my dog looked like a spay indicator, but she’d already been fixed years ago. This made the mystery even more confusing.
The upscale pet resort where I boarded her offers “full care” services. While I expected grooming and playtime, I never imagined they’d tattoo my pet. Their website mentions veterinary services, but nothing about tattoos. When I called, the staff seemed surprised too, which only added to my concern.
Before confronting the facility, I prepared carefully. I documented the tattoo with photos and reviewed all her medical history. My vet confirmed this wasn’t standard practice without consent. When I finally spoke to the daycare manager, I asked pointed questions about their policies and procedures.
This experience taught me important lessons about pet care facilities. We trust them with our beloved animals, but we must ask detailed questions beforehand. I’m sharing my story to help other owners avoid similar surprises. Our pets depend on us to protect them, even when we’re away.
