The Michigan Department of Agriculture offers a dog registry to help reunite lost dogs to their owners.  Dogs are tattooed on the ear and inner thigh with a unique number (MI-<<5 digit number>>-A) by an individual that has been designated by the department to tattoo dogs for this registration program.  From there, the designated tattooer submits a form containing a complete description of the dog including breed, sex, age, and tattoo number as well as the owner's name, address, and phone number, along with a registration fee (paid by the owner) of $1 per dog.  The Michigan Department of Agriculture puts the dog's and owner's information into the state registry.  Owners then receive an official registration indicating that the dog is on the state registry.  Individuals finding a dog with a tattoo bearing the MI-<<5 digit number>>-A should call the department at 517-373-1077 within 48 hours of finding such dog to locate the owner.

To find an individual in your area designated to tattoo dogs for the Michigan Department of Agriculture Dog Indentification and Registration Program, click here.

If you are a licensed, accredited veterinarian or an individual with more that 1 year of experience working with dogs, and are interested in becoming a designated dog tattooer for the Michigan Department of Agriculture Dog Identification and Registration Program, please read the laws below pertaining to the program.  Print and fill out the Application for Designation to Identify Animals and submit it to: Michigan Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909.  Once approved, you will receive an official certificate with your unique designation number authorizing you to tattoo dogs for the Michigan Department of Agriculture Dog Identification and Registration Program, as well as copies of the official animal registration forms.

• The Dog Law, Act 339, P.A. of 1919
• Registration and Identification of Dogs, Act 309 of 1939
• Michigan Requirements for Designated Dog Tattooers