Complimentary dog tags usually come in standard base materials such as stainless steel, brass, anodized aluminum, or plastic.

If you’ve ever tried searching the web for free dog tags, you know what a pain it can be. The website claims to give away dog ids for free, but in fact you have to buy something first. This can be fine in many cases. This is especially true if you need to stock up on pet supplies like collars, leashes, chains and other dog items. Because dog tags are not expensive to make, manufacturers often provide them for free. Imagine having your dog’s name on a tag and arriving in the mail. Alternatively, some websites do not offer free dog tags but offer free shipping.

But if you want the free dog tag itself, you’ll have to try another method. PetsMart, a national pet supply chain, had a deal where you could get a free dog tag simply by signing up for a mailing list, but that deal is now gone.

If you live in San Diego, CA, you’re in luck. Many shelters and retailers there offer free pet tags. If you live in San Diego, go to petconnect.org. You can order up to 3 free dog tags from there. You can enter up to 5 lines of dog name, phone number and address. Sometimes you can even choose a color and shape. If you don’t want to spend money, it’s most likely a plastic that works well.

Australia has a great animal control program. If you live in Australia, you will have no trouble finding free dog tags. Call or go to an animal shelter and ask for a free dog tag.

Many vets offer free dog tags to their clients. Contact your veterinarian.

The Humane Society also offers free dog tags. Call your local chapter to find out how to get a free dog tag. They often contain a serial number linked to the Humane Society’s extensive database.

Sometimes other types of animal shelters also offer free dog tags. Look up “animal shelters” in your local phone book.