An attachment tool for an animal tag is disclosed. The attachment tool includes a first tag interface that mates with a male portion of the animal tag, and a second tag interface that mates with a female portion of the animal tag. The first tag interface and the second tag interface dispose the male portion of the tag in an aligned and opposing relationship with the female portion of the tag while the male portion of the tag is mounted on the first tag interface and the female portion of the tag is mounted on the second tag interface. An arm extends adjacent the first tag interface to at least the second tag interface and the second tag interface is disposed on the arm. A guard extends outward proximate the first tag interface toward the second tag interface. A distal portion of the guard and an opposing structure of the arm proximate the second tag interface define a gap therebetween, the gap extending into a region between the first tag interface and the second tag interface. A drive moves the male portion of the animal tag disposed on the first tag interface towards the female portion of the tag disposed on the second tag interface to connect the male portion with the female portion.
