The Universal Guide to Microchip Lookup: Reuniting Pets with Their Families

Losing a beloved pet can be a heart-wrenching experience. A third of all family pets will get lost at some point during their lives. Parents of skittish pets can attest to the fact that many make a break for it on a regular basis. Loud noises from fireworks can exacerbate this issue during the summer months, but pets get separated from their families all year round. Fortunately, microchipping offers a reliable way to increase the chances of a reunion. These small, electronic devices, implanted by veterinarians through a minimally invasive procedure, dramatically improve the odds of a lost dog or cat finding their way back home. Providing for thousands and thousands of homecomings, they’ve led to many inspiring stories.

Understanding Pet Microchips

A pet microchip is a tiny, passive Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder, about the size of a grain of rice. Veterinarians implant these small, electronic devices through a minimally invasive procedure. Once the chip is in place, its serial number is added to at least one of several databases alongside the pet owner’s contact information. The chip itself requires no battery and is only activated when scanned by a compatible device. When scanned, the microchip emits a unique identification number that can be used to locate the pet's owner in a registry database.

It's important to note that a microchip is NOT a GPS tracker. It cannot locate an animal’s precise location and does not have a power source. A microchip can only provide an identification number when scanned by a vet or animal shelter.

The Importance of Registration

Microchipping is only half the equation - registration is what makes the chip useful. A chip without updated contact information is like a phone with no service. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has collected survey data from pet owners over the last several years. In 2017, the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) teamed up to introduce National Check the Chip Day. After all, it’s not enough to get a pet microchipped and hope for the best. If that microchip isn’t accurately registered in the appropriate database, it could wind up being useless.

When shelters or veterinarians scan a lost pet, they rely on the microchip number to pull up the owner's details. Many pet owners assume their vet or shelter automatically registers the chip, but that’s not always the case. Even if your pet has never gone missing, regular check-ins are essential. Checking your pet’s microchip couldn’t be simpler.

How Microchip Lookup Works

Microchip lookup is a broader term that encompasses the search for information associated with any pet’s microchip, not just cats. The heart of the microchip lookup process lies in the microchip number, a unique identifier that links a pet to its owner’s contact information. When a cat is microchipped, the owner is provided with documentation that includes the microchip number. This number should be kept in a safe place, as it will be needed for any future lookups or updates to the microchip registration.

Here’s the scoop on how a cat microchip lookup works: When a lost cat is found, the finder (whether it’s a vet or someone at a shelter) scans the chip to get the ID number. They use this number to access your info in the registered database. But hey, remember this: The magic of this system only works if your contact info is up-to-date. So, make it a habit to check and update your details regularly.

Using the microchip number for lookup is straightforward. Once the number is obtained, it can be entered into a microchip registry’s search tool or provided to a veterinarian or shelter staff who can perform the lookup.

Universal Microchip Lookup Tools

Want to celebrate National Check the Chip Day? It could be as simple as logging into the manufacturer’s database or using a universal pet microchip lookup tool. It allows you to search for your pet’s microchip number and find out which registry it’s associated with. If you’re specifically looking for a dog microchip lookup, the AAHA tool works just as well for canine companions.

AAHA provides an internet-based application that enables veterinarians, humane organizations, pet owners or other persons to search various Pet Recovery Service registries and identify those registries on which a particular microchip is registered. AAHA is not affiliated or involved with any specific microchip registry and has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with this Participating Pet Recovery Service Registry (“Registry”). This Registry has given AAHA permission to search the Registry’s database in order to assist pet owners in being reunited with their pets. AAHA does not maintain a database of microchips of its own. It only links to registries such as this one. The AAHA Universal Microchip Lookup Tool only searches the databases of companies that elect to participate in the program.

PetLink is one of the largest and most trusted microchip registration databases, which when searched also integrates the AAHA’s (American Animal Hospital Association) nationwide network of microchip databases, so you can quickly identify the information you need. Please note: if the pet is not registered with PetLink, the AAHA results will not return specific pet owner information contained in the registries’ databases.

Understanding the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool

It’s important to have a clear understanding of what the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool does and doesn’t do:

It’s not a registry or database, and it doesn’t store pet owners’ contact information. Instead, it is a lookup tool- like Google for microchip registrations.
The tool does not show any pet owner contact information - not even the owner’s name. It just shows the registry’s info. Registry info will show up for any “participating registries” (AAHA’s term for the registries it can search).
If the chip isn’t registered in any participating registries, it will point you in the direction of the possible manufacturer of the microchip. Unfortunately, this information will only show for non-registered chips. If a chip is registered, it will only display the information seen in point number 2 above.
Not every registry participates in the tool even though it’s completely free. The lack of participation is not because of cost or inconvenience - those companies actively choose not to be part of the lookup. Currently, AVID is a company that does not participate in AAHA’s lookup tool. Suppose you have pets registered in this database.
Not every shelter knows about or uses the tool when they have a found pet. This challenge can lead to some dangerous confusion. For example, suppose your pet’s microchip is a HomeAgain chip but registered with AKC Reunite. Some pet owners choose to update their pet’s information with the original manufacturer’s database as an added safety net to prevent this type of confusion.

Registering Your Pet's Microchip

Registering your cat’s microchip is a critical step in ensuring their safety. The process of registering a microchip is usually straightforward and can often be done online. When your cat is microchipped, your veterinarian should provide you with information on how to register the microchip with a specific registry. It’s important to choose a reputable microchip registry that is widely recognized and used by veterinarians and shelters. Some registries may charge a fee for registration, while others offer free registration. Once registered, it’s crucial to keep your contact information up to date. Regularly checking that your cat’s microchip information is current is also a good practice.

Without registering your pet, the microchip won’t have your contact details associated with it, which prevents you being reunited with your pet if it ever goes missing. You can simply locate the barcode sticker or microchip registration you received from the veterinarian who inserted the microchip or from the animal shelter the pet was adopted from.

Steps to Register Your Pet's Microchip:

Obtain the Microchip Number: This number is typically provided by your veterinarian or animal shelter after the microchip implantation.
Choose a Registry: Select a reputable microchip registry. NMR offers free microchip registration with no annual fees.
Visit the Registry Website: Go to the website of your chosen registry.
Enter the Microchip Number: Locate the registration section and enter your pet's microchip number.
Provide Your Contact Information: Fill in your contact details, including your name, address, phone number, and email address.
Pay Any Applicable Fees: Some registries may charge a fee for registration.
Submit the Registration: Review your information and submit the registration form.
Keep Your Information Updated: If you move or change your phone number, update your contact information with the registry immediately.

Finding a Lost Pet with a Microchip

Finding a lost cat can be a distressing experience, but knowing how to check for a microchip can make a significant difference in reuniting the cat with its family. Approach the cat calmly and gently to avoid scaring it away. Take the cat to a local veterinarian, animal shelter, or rescue organisation, where they can scan the cat for a microchip.

If you find a lost pet and they have their microchip number displayed on a collar tag, you can enter the number in the search tool above.

Routine Maintenance and Staying Up-to-Date

Even if your pet has never gone missing, regular check-ins are essential. It’s crucial to keep your contact information up to date. Regularly checking that your cat’s microchip information is current is also a good practice.

Common Questions About Microchips

Q: Can I look up my pet’s microchip?Yes. If you have your pet’s microchip number, you can use a pet microchip lookup tool to check its registration status.
Q: Can I scan a pet microchip with my phone?No. Microchips use RFID technology and require a specialized scanner.
Q: How do I check if my dog’s microchip is up to date?Visit a microchip registry and enter your dog’s microchip number. You’ll see the current contact info on file and can update it instantly.
Q: Where can I check for a microchip for free?You can use a free pet microchip registry to search and verify your pet’s registration.
Q: Can I look up my pet’s microchip number?Not directly. You’ll need to visit a vet or shelter to have your pet scanned.
Q: What happens if my pet’s microchip isn’t registered?An unregistered chip is like a phone with no SIM card. If your pet is found and scanned, but the chip isn’t linked to your contact info, shelters won’t know who to call.
Q: Can I register my pet’s microchip for free?Yes. Some registries offer free microchip registration with no annual fees.
Q: What if I adopted a pet and don’t know the microchip status?Ask your vet to scan the chip. Then use a microchip registry lookup to see if it’s registered.
Q: Is microchip lookup available by phone number?Some registries allow pet microchip lookup by phone number if your contact info is linked to the chip.
Q: How do I register my pet’s microchip?Visit a trusted registry, enter your pet’s microchip number, and fill in your contact details.
Q: Can I update my contact info later?Yes.

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