Engraved tags are a legal requirement in the UK. Taggzi adds everything they can't do.
Engraved tags are mandatory and essential — but they have real limits. Taggzi fills those gaps.
Metal tags rub against collar rings and fences. Within a year or two, many become impossible to read — at the exact moment they matter most.
Move house? New number? You need to buy a new tag. Most owners don't bother, leaving stale details on the collar. Taggzi updates instantly in the app.
Your phone number is visible to anyone who picks up your pet. Taggzi lets finders message you privately — your number stays hidden unless you choose to show it.
There's no room for a photo, medical notes, or vet details on an engraved disc. Taggzi holds everything a finder — or a vet — might need.
| Feature | Taggzi Digital layer | Engraved Tag UK legal req. |
|---|---|---|
| Contact details visible to finder | ✓ Tap or scan — profile opens instantly | ✓ Visible when tag is readable |
| Wears out or becomes unreadable | ✓ No — NFC chip lasts indefinitely | ✗ Yes — engraving fades and scratches |
| Update contact details | ✓ Instantly via app — tag unchanged | ✗ Must buy a new tag |
| Pet photo shown to finder | ✓ Full profile with photo | ✗ None |
| Medical alerts / vet info | ✓ Medications, allergies, vet details | ✗ No space |
| Privacy — contact without sharing number | ✓ Built-in message button | ✗ Number visible to anyone |
| Works if scratched / dirty | ✓ NFC + QR code backup | ✗ Unreadable if worn |
| Works without phone signal | ✓ QR code works offline | ✓ Always readable (when legible) |
| Community lost-pet alerts | ✓ Free — local geo-filtered alerts | ✗ None |
| Lost-pet mode | ✓ Mark as lost — emergency banner on profile | ✗ None |
| Noise on collar | ✓ Silent | ✗ Jingles against other tags |
| Cost to update details | ✓ Free — just edit in the app | ✗ £5–15 for a new tag each time |
| Multiple pets | ✓ Up to 5 pets on one Pro account | ~ One tag per pet, each re-ordered separately |
In the UK, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires dogs to wear a collar showing the owner's name and address in any public place. An engraved tag is the legally compliant way to do this — Taggzi does not replace it.
What Taggzi does is add a full digital profile on top: photo, live-updatable phone number, medical notes, private messaging, and community lost-pet alerts. When the engraved tag is worn smooth or carries an old number, Taggzi is still working perfectly.
Some owners also engrave just the PAW-XXXXX short code on their disc — a finder can visit taggzi.com and type it in if NFC or QR doesn't work for them. Belt and braces.
Outside the UK, regulations vary by country and region. Check your local requirements — in many places there is no statutory obligation, but carrying clear contact details is always in your pet's best interest.
The majority of lost pets are found by ordinary members of the public — not vets, not shelters. That finder has a smartphone. They tap your pet's Taggzi and your profile opens in seconds. They tap your number and call you. Your pet is home within the hour.
An engraved tag that's worn smooth, or one with an old address, can't do that. Taggzi keeps working no matter how long the tag has been on the collar.
Do I still need an engraved tag if I have Taggzi?
Yes. In the UK, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires dogs to wear a collar with the owner's name and address in any public place — an engraved tag is the standard way to comply. Taggzi is a digital companion to that tag, not a replacement. Outside the UK, requirements vary by country.
What happens if my number changes?
Open the Taggzi app, update your profile. Done — the physical tag on your dog's collar doesn't change, but anyone who scans it now sees your new number. With an engraved tag you'd need to order a new one.
Can a finder message me without calling?
Yes. Every Taggzi profile has a built-in message button. The finder types a message and you receive a notification — your phone number stays private unless you choose to show it.
What if someone doesn't have NFC?
Every Taggzi has a printed QR code on the back. Any phone with a camera — iPhone, Android, older models — can scan it. Both link to the same pet profile.
Start free — update your profile any time. Upgrade to Pro for the NFC tag and community alerts.
🇬🇧 UK-based · No battery required · Cancel Pro anytime