Identifying your pet is a simple, mandatory and essential action to protect it. However, every year in Francethousands of lost dogs, cats and ferrets cannot find their families due to lack of identification. To recall the importance of this approach, the National I-CAD file organizes, from June 15 to 21, 2026, the 8e edition of the National Identification Week.
This year, the campaign also focuses on raising awareness among young people, because passing on good practices related to animal ownership from childhood helps to create more responsible and better informed owners.
Raising awareness among children from an early age: an essential issue for animal welfare
Children often form a very strong bond with their pets who participate fully in their daily lives. Raising their awareness from a young age about the identification of dogs and cats helps them understand that an animal is not only a playmate, but also a being that must be taken care of.
By explaining, in appropriate words, that identification facilitates reunion in the event of loss and contributes to the safety of their furball, it becomes possible to establish good habits over the long term.
Fun tools for learning while having fun
To raise awareness among young people in a concrete and fun way, the National Identification Week provides them with several educational tools adapted to their age.
© I-CAD
Children aged 5 to 7 will be able to follow the adventures of Melody and her cat Malo in the booklet “ The epic tale of Malo, Mélodie's beloved cat », a story punctuated with coloring, observation games, word searches and a quiz to discover the basics of animal identification.
© I-CAD
They also find practical boxes answering everyday questions, such as: “When should an animal be identified?” », “What to do if you find a lost dog or cat? » or “How to react when your pet disappears?” “.
8-10 year olds, for their part, will be invited to carry out the investigation with “ Operation Chauvetage: Catastrophe in Miaouville », an immersive game combining puzzles, challenges and practical information to understand the importance of identifying dogs, cats and ferrets.
The campaign also features a great game “ Seek & Find » to color, in which children must find hidden cats in order to obtain clues to solve a mystery word and try to win goodies in a draw.
Distributed throughout the week on social networks and the campaign website, these clues extend the experience and encourage the participation of the whole family.
© I-CAD
Through these fun supports, theIngenium Animalis (the manager of National I-CAD File) wants to make information accessible to as many people as possible and show that it is entirely possible to learn the right reflexes to protect your animal while having fun.
Would you like to find out more about this campaign, download the educational booklets or participate in the game? Visit the National Identification Week website.