Free QR Pet Tags. One scan brings them home.
Every year about 10 million pets get lost in the US alone. A third never make it home. Most of them had a tag — just not a tag the finder could actually use. Tagback fixes that with a free QR sticker that works on any smartphone, anywhere on Earth.
Why a QR collar tag beats engraved metal
Traditional engraved bone tags fit one phone number. That’s it. If you move, change carriers, or travel internationally, the tag is wrong. A finder in another country can’t call a number with a different country code without thinking twice. The text rubs off after a year.
A QR pet tag stays editable. You change the contact details, add a vet, mark the pet as missing — instant. The plastic or aluminium QR holds up better in rain than ink-engraved metal. And the page that opens has a bigger story than 30 characters can fit.
What the finder actually sees
When the finder scans the QR, they see a calm, designed page with:
- Pet name and one big photo (so they know they have the right animal)
- One sentence about behaviour: "Friendly, food-motivated. Try a treat." or "Fearful — do not chase, please call instead."
- A green Message owner button
- An optional Share location button (gives you the GPS pin where the finder is)
- An optional Call now button if you allow 24/7 calling
- A small note box for medications, vet info, and microchip number
The finder doesn’t need an app, an account, or a Wi-Fi password. The page works on a brand-new phone, a borrowed phone, an old Android, anything that can scan a QR.
QR tag vs AirTag vs GPS collar
Pet owners often ask if they should use an AirTag or a GPS-tracker collar instead. The honest answer is "it depends what you’re afraid of."
| <tr> <th>Scenario | Tagback QR | AirTag | GPS collar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat slipped out the door | Best — cheap, low-friction | OK if neighbour has iPhone | Overkill |
| Dog ran into a forest | Once someone finds them | Works only near Apple devices | Best, real-time |
| Travelling with pet | Best — auto-translates | Apple-network coverage varies | Cellular plan needed abroad |
| Owner died / pet rehomed | Tag updates instantly | Tied to old Apple ID | Subscription frozen |
| Cost | $0 | $29 | $30 device + $5/mo |
Many owners use both a GPS tracker (for live location) and a QR tag (for the moment a stranger finds the pet). They solve different parts of the problem.
Setup in three steps
Step 1. Create the tag
Open the app or web dashboard, choose Pet, fill in:
- Name & one big photo — finders need to confirm they have the right animal
- Behaviour notes — fearful, food-motivated, do-not-catch, aggressive
- Vet & chip info — vet name, phone, microchip number
- Medical — chronic conditions, medications, allergies
Step 2. Pick a tag format
Three options, increasing in durability:
- Printable sticker — for indoor cats, harnesses, or carriers. Free.
- Plastic key-tag — slides onto the collar ring. Lightweight. Free template, ~$2 to print at home.
- Aluminium engraved tag — outdoor pets and big dogs. Order in the dashboard.
Step 3. Attach and test
Once attached, scan the QR yourself with your phone’s camera. You should see your pet’s page in the finder view. If you change anything later — new vet, new phone, marked the pet as missing — the live page updates without re-printing.
"What if my pet is lost right now?"
Toggle Lost mode in the dashboard. The next time anyone scans the tag, they see a red banner saying "This pet is currently missing — please help return them" and the page emphasises the contact buttons. You also start receiving location pings every time someone scans.
If you haven’t set up a tag yet and your pet is missing today, read our 24-hour rescue guide: Lost dog: what to do in the first 24 hours.
Pet-specific tagging best practices
Cats
Use a breakaway collar — it pops open if the cat snags it. Attach the QR by the metal D-ring. Add a behaviour note like "Indoor cat, lost outside — please call, do not chase." Cats often hide; chasing makes recovery harder.
Dogs
Standard collar with a sturdy aluminium QR tag. Add vet phone for the rare case where the finder takes the dog directly to the vet (then the vet can scan the chip and the QR will already be a backup contact). For nervous dogs, add the line "Anxious. Please move slowly and offer a treat."
Travelling pets
Add the destination country to the description. Auto-translation handles the rest. If you’re flying, stick a backup QR on the carrier itself.
Related reading
- How to find a lost pet — complete guide
- QR Pet Tag vs AirTag vs GPS Collar
- Lost dog: what to do in the first 24 hours
- Cat collar tag: 7 things to include
- Microchip vs QR collar — why you need both
FAQ
One free tag stands between your pet and a sleepless night.
Make a QR pet tag in under a minute. No app needed for finders. Works worldwide.
Create my pet tagFAQ
Will the QR tag work if my pet runs into a different country?+
Yes. The finder card auto-detects the finder’s phone language. So if your dog is found by someone in Mexico City, the page opens in Spanish; if in Berlin, German. The finder doesn’t need to figure out anything — they just scan and tap.
My cat hates wearing a collar with a noisy metal tag. Is QR quieter?+
Yes — a printed plastic or aluminium QR tag is silent and lighter than traditional engraved metal tags. It also doesn’t catch on bushes the way thick bone tags do.
What if my pet is microchipped already? Why also use a QR tag?+
A microchip needs a vet or shelter scanner — that means the finder has to take your pet somewhere first. A QR tag works the moment the finder takes out their phone, anywhere. Use both: the chip is your last-resort proof of ownership, the QR is your first-minute reunion tool.
Can I include vet info, allergies, and behaviour notes?+
Yes. The tag fields include vet name & phone, microchip number, medical conditions, medications, behaviour warnings (fearful, do-not-catch, aggressive), special diets, and a "what to do if you find me" instruction box.
Will my phone number show up on the public page?+
Only if you choose to. By default, finders see a "Message owner" button that routes through Tagback. You get the message on your phone, and decide whether to share your number.
What if my pet is found at night or far from home?+
Enable the "24/7 call allowed" toggle in the dashboard. The finder card then shows a one-tap call button so emergency situations don’t wait.
Start protecting what matters
Your first tag is free, forever. No subscription. No app needed for finders.
Create your free tag