What have dog tags done lately? They offer assurance that a pet has been treated, registered, possibly spayed/neutered, if they’ve been treated for diseases, and provide details of ownership. However, the tag alone just has some numbers and maybe a name, but no real way of tracing the pet to its rightful owner—who is probably missing and/or worried about their displaced pet. There’s got to be something to better bridge the gap and help displaced pets get back home.

Straight out of Seattle, PetHub has stepped up and created a system to help by creating a 24/7, 365 day a year toll-free number service (www.customtollfree.com) to help get those lost pets back to the doorsteps of their rightful owners. No subscriptions or memberships are necessary. Pet owners can get a QR code with a unique website address added to your tag that provides immediate access to the pet’s emergency contact information including home addresses, alternate addresses, emergency contacts and veterinarian information.

Upon dialing the toll-free number service, anyone who calls will be immediately placed in contact with a live American-based operator who will take instant action toward contacting the owners and getting the pet back home. To existing PetHub customers, the service has proven to be an instant success. According to PetHub customer, Natalie Leska, “The new toll-free number gives me even more peace of mind that if Peach gets lost again, she’ll quickly find her way home… My toy poodle, Peach, unknowingly escaped for a stroll down a highway and a roll in some mud and stickers, but thankfully a good citizen used their cell phone to scan the QR code on Peach’s digital ID tag to help return her to me safely.”

Unfortunately only about 17% of lost dogs, and an even worse, 2% of lost cats actually find their way back to their original owners. According to the American Humane Association, disheartening statistics show that 6 to 8 million animals enter the shelter with a euthanasia rate of 50%. Toll free services like these can help better the numbers. Tom Arnold, PetHub CEO and founder, explains, “The world has always been willing to help lost pets find their homes. With our approach to utilizing leading-edge technology, now they’re able to do so quickly and easily with a basic cell phone faster than ever before.”