A Simple Way to Help Cats: Check the Chip

May is Chip Your Pet Month! Did you know 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime?

Microchips are a lifeline for lost pets and give them the best chance to return home. If your pets are already microchipped – that’s awesome! But are their chips registered? Is your address and phone number up to date? Here’s how to find out.

Step 1: Get Your Pet’s Microchip Number

Look in your pet’s records to find their microchip number. If you don’t have the chip number, try reaching out to your vet’s office as they may have it in their records. You also may be able to bring your pet into your vet’s office, animal shelter, or animal control to have them scanned. Not all microchips work on the same frequency, so check and make sure they are using a “universal scanner.”

Step 2: Get Your Pet’s Microchip Type/Brand

Can’t recall the type/brand? Lost the original paperwork? You can call your vet’s office or the shelter/rescue where you adopted your pet, they may have it in their records. You can also look up your pet’s microchip number on the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup site. The site will tell you if and with which registry the chip is registered, when it was last updated, and provide the necessary information about how to get in touch to check and update your contact information.

Step 3: Check & Update Your Contact Information With The Registry

Now that you have your pet’s microchip number and the name and contact info of the registry, call them or go onto their website to update your contact info.

Pet’s Microchip Not Yet Registered?

Registering your pet’s microchip isn’t just important, it’s also quick and easy. You can register your pet’s microchip with the manufacturer’s registry and with the Found Animals registry.

Checking and updating your contact information for your pet’s registered microchip is just as important as getting the microchip in the first place. If your lost pet is found and then scanned for a chip, the person who scans them (whether it be animal control or a shelter staff member) needs your current contact info in order to reunite you with your pet.

We hope you never find yourself in this situation but unfortunately we assist many owners with lost cats, especially when the weather starts to get warmer, so be sure to keep your pet’s microchip registration contact information up-to-date. You’ve probably seen “happy ending” stories that happened because of a registered microchip (like Larry, who MRFRS reunited with his owner after over 5 years!) – so the “work” is worth it!

Helpful Links

Michelson Found Animals Registry: This registry is “universal” and completely free and is part of Michelson Found Animals, a non-profit working hard to help more pets stay in their homes.

AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup: This internet-based application identifies which registries should be contacted when a lost pet is scanned and a microchip number is identified (it will not return pet owner information contained in the registries’ databases, instead it will identify which registries should be contacted when a lost pet is scanned and a microchip number is identified).

Petco Love Lost: MRFRS is partnering with Petco Love Lost to help pets reunite with their families. Petco Love Lost is a free, easy-to-use national resource, using patented pet facial recognition technology to make it easier than ever to find possible matches for lost and found pets.