How to Microchip Your Pet and Register the Chip

What a microchip does and why it matters after a disaster

A microchip is a grain-sized device implanted under your pet's skin that holds a unique ID number. If your pet gets lost during or after a disaster, a veterinarian or animal shelter can scan the chip, read that number, and contact you through the registry where you registered it. The chip itself does not have GPS and does not track your pet — it only works when someone scans it.

After a disaster, pets often bolt from homes or get separated during evacuation. A collar and tag can fall off or become unreadable. A microchip stays with your pet and requires no batteries or maintenance. It is the single most reliable way for a shelter or vet to reunite you with a lost pet.

Microchipping is not a substitute for a collar and ID tag — it is a backup when the tag is gone. Most lost pets are returned to their owners within days when both are in place.

Key Takeaways

• A microchip is implanted by a veterinarian in a five-minute procedure that costs between $25 and $60 and causes minimal discomfort to your pet.
• Registering your chip with the manufacturer's database is a separate step from the implant itself, and you must do it yourself — the vet does not do it for you.
• Your registration must include your current phone number and address; if you move or change numbers, you must update the registry or the chip becomes useless.
• Different microchip manufacturers use different registries, so you may need to register with more than one database if your pet has an older chip or if you adopt a pet with an existing chip.
• A microchip costs far less than the time and expense of searching for a lost pet or replacing a pet after a disaster.

Getting your pet microchipped at a veterinary clinic

Call your veterinarian and ask about microchipping. Most clinics offer it as a routine service. The procedure takes about five minutes: the vet injects the microchip under the skin between your pet's shoulder blades using a needle similar to a vaccine needle. Most pets show little reaction. You do not need to fast your pet beforehand or schedule a full exam — microchipping is a standalone service.

Cost ranges from $25 to $60 depending on your clinic and region. Some animal shelters and rescue organizations also offer microchipping at lower cost, often $15 to $25. Ask whether the price includes registration or if registration is separate.

When the vet implants the chip, they will give you a card or receipt with the chip's ID number and the manufacturer's name. Keep this card — you will need the ID number to register the chip. The vet may also ask for your contact information at that time, but do not assume they have registered it. Registration is your responsibility.

Registering your chip with the manufacturer's database

After your pet is microchipped, you must register the chip number with the manufacturer's database. The manufacturer is printed on the card the vet gave you — common ones include HomeAgain, AKC Reunite, 24PetWatch, and Microchip Registry. Each manufacturer maintains its own database.

Go to the manufacturer's website and look for a registration link. You will enter your pet's chip ID number, your pet's name and species, your full name, phone number, address, and email. Some registries ask for your pet's age, breed, color, and any medical conditions. Fill in everything accurately — a wrong phone number or address makes the chip useless.

Registration is usually free or costs $15 to $20 as a one-time fee. Some registries offer paid plans with additional services like lost-pet alerts or travel assistance, but basic registration is all you need. After you submit, the registry will send you a confirmation email. Save that email and keep the chip ID number in a safe place.

Updating your registration if you move or change your phone number

If you move to a new address or change your phone number, log into your registry account and update your information immediately. Many pet owners microchip their pets and then forget to update the registry when they move — this is the most common reason microchips fail to reunite pets with their owners.

If you do not remember which registry your pet's chip is registered with, ask your veterinarian — they may have a record. If you adopted your pet and do not know the chip number or registry, a vet can scan the chip and tell you both. You can then contact the registry to update the information or transfer ownership to yourself.

Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to check your registry information once a year, especially after moving or changing your phone number. This takes two minutes and could save your pet's life.

What to do if your pet already has a microchip

If you adopted a pet that already has a microchip, ask the shelter or rescue for the chip ID number and the manufacturer's name. Go to that manufacturer's website and look for an option to transfer ownership or update the registration. You will need to provide proof of ownership — usually a photo ID and adoption papers.

If the shelter does not have the chip information, take your pet to a vet and ask them to scan the chip. They will read the ID number and can tell you the manufacturer. From there, you can contact the registry to request a transfer.

If the previous owner's information is still in the registry and you cannot reach them, some registries allow you to register as a secondary contact. This way, if your pet is found, the shelter can reach either of you. However, it is better to complete a full ownership transfer if possible.

Microchipping multiple pets and keeping records organized

If you have more than one pet, microchip each one separately. Each chip has its own unique ID number and must be registered individually. When you register, use the same phone number and address for all your pets so a shelter can reach you for any of them.

Create a document or spreadsheet with each pet's name, species, microchip ID number, the manufacturer's name, and the registry website. Store this document in a place you can access quickly — your phone, email, or a cloud storage service. If disaster strikes and you are separated from your pets, you will have the information you need to contact registries and shelters immediately.

Include this information in your pet disaster kit along with recent photos of each pet, vaccination records, and any medications they take. If you evacuate, you will have everything you need to search for your pets or prove ownership if they are found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the microchip have a GPS tracker in it?

No. A microchip is a passive device that only stores an ID number. It has no battery, no GPS, and no way to transmit location. It only works when a vet or shelter scans it. If you want to track your pet's location in real time, you need a separate GPS collar or tracker device.

Can I microchip my cat or only my dog?

You can microchip any pet — cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The procedure is the same. Cats are especially good candidates because they are more likely to slip out of collars and get lost.

What if my pet's microchip stops working?

Microchips are designed to last the lifetime of your pet and do not require batteries or maintenance. They very rarely fail. If a vet scans your pet and cannot read the chip, ask them to try scanning again or use a different scanner — some older chips require specific scanners. If the chip truly is not readable, your vet can implant a new one.

Will the microchip hurt my pet or cause side effects?

The implant procedure causes minimal discomfort — most pets react less to a microchip injection than to a vaccine. Side effects are extremely rare. Some pets may have mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two, similar to a vaccine. Serious complications like infection or migration of the chip are uncommon.

What if I find a lost pet with a microchip?

Take the pet to any veterinary clinic or animal shelter and ask them to scan the microchip. They will read the ID number, contact the registry, and reach the owner. You do not need to do anything else — the vet or shelter handles the reunion.