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Dog ID tag making machine

  • 1.  Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 12-28-2023 01:01 PM

    I am strongly considering purchasing a machine to make ID tags out in the field for pet owners. We are staunch believers in the power of chips, but also recommend that pet owners tag their pets as well as extra insurance. Does anyone have a portable, affordable one that they like?


    #PetSupportServices*

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    Christy Fischer
    Shelter or rescue director
    Wichita Animal Action League
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  • 2.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 12-29-2023 07:36 AM

    I'm not sure how portable ours is, as we haven't tried it yet.  Dragon Engravers (formerly VIP Engravers) was having an end of year special that made it much more affordable.  You might check to see if it's still going on.



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    Samantha Burnett
    Sr. Director, Special Projects
    Nexus Equine
    OK
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  • 3.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 12-29-2023 09:29 AM

    Hi Christy,

    I agree that tags can be a high-impact resource for pet retention. We have 3 iMARC Tag Engravers for community outreach. They have held up over time, the only issue and you might have this with other manufacturers is that they use proprietary tag holders that only fit their tags, so you're stuck buying their tags which keep increasing in price. We have found a workaround and are able to use generic tags at a fraction of the price. Last time I checked, the engravers with a starter pack of tags were going for $4,000. 

    https://www.imarcengraver.com/imarc_engraver.html



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    Quinn Douglas-Hiley
    Community Resources Manager
    San Diego Humane Society
    CA
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  • 4.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 12-29-2023 09:39 AM

    Thank you, Quinn! That is very helpful!



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    Christy Fischer
    Shelter or rescue director
    Wichita Animal Action League
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  • 5.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 27 days ago

    Can I ask what tags you use now as your work around? Do you buy them on Amazon? 

    I am thinking about buying one of these engravers, but I want flexibility of using other blank tags.



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    Andrew Krebbs
    Executive Director
    Monroe County Humane Association
    IN
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  • 6.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 27 days ago

    Hi Andrew,

    We have since pivoted to the GoScripe engravers, which are less than half the price of iMARC and offer better/faster tech in a more compact platform. We've used them at the shelter and in the field, sometimes making 150+ tags non-stop, and they performed flawlessly. If you've budgeted for an iMARC, get 2 of these instead, you won't regret it. 

    I can send you links for generic tags available through Amazon and AliExpress (direct from China) for the GoScribe and iMARC. Shoot me an email qdoulgas-hiley@sdhumane.org 

    GoScribe Mini | Tag Engraving Machine | GoScribe

    GoScribe remove preview
    GoScribe Mini | Tag Engraving Machine | GoScribe
    The Mini is the go-anywhere engraver for go-getters! Discover the freedom, flexibility, and additional revenue this tag engraving machine can bring.
    View this on GoScribe >


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    Quinn Douglas-Hiley
    Community Resources Manager
    San Diego Humane Society
    CA
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  • 7.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 27 days ago
    Hello Quinn,
    I've been following the conversation about tag machines in Maddie's Pet Forum and would love to check out the links for generic tags as well.  Could you share them with me when you have a chance?

    I tried emailing you directly and it was returned as undeliverable.

    Thank you,

    Samantha Burnett, CAWA, SPHR
    Sr. Director, Special Projects
    405-276-3172





  • 8.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 27 days ago

    Me too please Quinn.



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    Karen Kirsch
    Founder
    Spayed and Aid
    KY
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  • 9.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 26 days ago

    When I started my community outreach nonprofit, my first investment was an iMarc engraver and a case. We make free tags (as well as offer free vaccines, chips, food, etc). Unfortunately, iMarc doesn't provide discounts on tags for nonprofits and the tags are our biggest expense (thanks to Petco Love for the vaccine grant!).

    Does anyone know if there are compatible tags from a cheaper vendor or am I stuck with iMarc?



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    Meg McAdam
    President
    Human and Pet Initiative
    CA
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  • 10.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 26 days ago
    I'd be very interested in also learning if there are any blanks folks have used on the imarc machine that aren't from imarc. 


       






  • 11.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 04-14-2024 01:02 PM

    Law of the paw...Adopt, spay/neuter, i.d. We have been chipping all shelter pets since 2006. We also purchased a VIP machine many years ago and are in the process of upgrading. All clients receive a free tag with each adoption.We make "while you wait"tags for public walk ins for $5 for standard tags and $10 for fancier tags. We have taken the machine to festivals and fundraisers and have sold tags. We are researching some of the new generation laser machines for our upgrade that imprint merchandise as well to  widen our horizons  for fundraising and promotional items.



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    Rochelle Hamp
    Executive Director
    Headwaters Animal Shelter
    MN
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  • 12.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 07-17-2024 12:58 PM

    Rochelle, I am curious to know if you have already purchased a new engraver that fits your needs. If so, could you please share your experience and review of the machine? We are considering a similar upgrade and would greatly appreciate any insights you can provide. We were looking into the LaserPecker, line but it seems there maybe other options better suited for merch / tags etc. 



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    Carley Royder
    Communications Director
    North Texas Australian Shepherd Rescue
    TX
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  • 13.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 26 days ago

    We have an IMARC tag machine at our adoption center, our reclaim area, and in the office of our officers. It's not very portable, but we can come back and make them.

    However, we've recently moved to PetHub tags for the New Year. They have a QR code in the back of the tag that anyone can scan and upload their information so it makes it more "portable" since all the officers have to carry is the tags. Our new city tags will have this, and we have non-city tags that our officers will hand out and have some for purchase.

    If you get fancy ones they are quite expensive, but if you contact them directly as a shelter and get the stamped metal ones they run about .49/tag which is quite affordable to have a tag so user friendly. 



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    Rachel Ide
    Animal Services Director
    Young-Williams Animal Center
    TN
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  • 14.  RE: Dog ID tag making machine

    Posted 12 days ago

    I can vouch for the VIP (Dragon Engraver) for this use. I had one when I was an ACO, its nice because there's no keyboard to deal with like most of the others, its all done on the screen. They are also very heavy built. 

    I have one from my pet supply store that saw very little use if anyone wanted a good deal on one. I built a laser engraver setup to do more in depth graphics and tags so this one is just collecting dust. I have tried it with some other tags and it will work, but its kind of hit or miss and the on screen might not match. It measures the distance the clamp moves to determine what tag is in it. 



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    Joseph Payton
    Owner
    Scales and Tails Pet Supplies LLC
    ME
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