Blog: How to register a pet microchip

Bringing a pet into your life is a joyous occasion filled with love, laughter, and endless cuddles. However, as pet owners, it’s our responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being. One of the best ways to protect your fur baby is by microchipping them and using a pet GPS tracker. These simple steps can make a world of difference in keeping your pet safe and sound. Let’s dive into why these measures are essential and how you can easily implement them.

Importance of pet microchipping

Microchipping your pet is like giving them a permanent ID tag that can never be lost or removed. This tiny device is implanted under your pet’s skin between their shoulder blades in a painless procedure and holds a unique identification number linked to your contact information. The primary benefit of microchipping is the reunification of lost pets with their owners. If your pet ever gets lost, a quick scan at any vet clinic or animal shelter will show your contact details and help bring them back to you swiftly.

Imagine the relief of knowing that even if your pet wanders off, there’s a reliable way to ensure they find their way home. Statistics show that microchipped pets are significantly more likely to be reunited with their families than those without chips. In fact, one study reveals that microchipping your pet reunites 52% of dogs with their owners and 38% of cats, compared to just 22% of dogs and 2% of cats without microchips!1 It’s a simple, cost-effective measure that provides you with peace of mind.

How to register your pet’s microchip

Once your pet is microchipped, registering that microchip is crucial to make it effective. The microchip itself is only part of the equation; ensuring your contact information is up to date in PetLink’s microchip registry is equally important. Let’s walk through the simple steps to complete and accurately register your pet’s microchip.

Step 1: verify your pet’s microchip number

Call your vet 

To register your pet’s microchip, the first step is to verify the microchip number. If you don’t have the number on hand from your pet’s medical records, call your vet. They should have it on record if they implanted the microchip. Vets are accustomed to these requests and can quickly provide you with the information you need.

Contact your breeder, shelter, or rescue 

If you adopted your pet from a breeder, shelter, or rescue, they have likely microchipped your pet before you brought them home. Reach out to them to get the microchip number. They’ll be happy to assist you in ensuring your pet’s safety.

Get your pet scanned 

If all else fails, or if you want to be extra sure, take your pet to a vet clinic or animal shelter to get them scanned. The process is quick and painless and will confirm the microchip number for you.

Step 2: register your pet’s microchip number

How does microchip registry work? 

Once you have the microchip number, it’s time to register it. PetLink’s microchip registry is a robust online database that links your pet’s microchip number to your contact information. If your pet is found, the person who scans the microchip can contact the registry to get your details and reunite you with your pet.

How to get the most out of your microchip registry 

To maximize the benefits of microchipping, ensure you provide multiple contact methods—your cell phone, home phone, and even an email address. You can also add secondary or emergency contacts. This increases the chances that you’ll be reachable if your pet is found. When you use PetLink’s microchip registry, you can rest assured you’ve registered with the industry’s leading microchip registry with over 25 years of pet reunification experience, and you get additional services, like emergency support and travel assistance. You can have peace of mind knowing that whether you have a dog or cat, your pet is safely registered to increase your chances of being reunited.

Step 3: keep your information updated

A microchip is only as good as the information linked to it. Whenever you move or change your phone number, make sure you update your details in the microchip registry. It’s easy to forget, but keeping this information current is essential. In fact, August 15th is National Check the Chip Day; this is an easy annual reminder to set in your calendar to double-check that your pet’s microchip information is accurate.2 Updating your information in PetLink is quick and convenient and just requires logging into your account online, making the changes, and saving them.

Other ways to enhance your pet’s safety

Microchipping is a fantastic start, but there are also other ways to enhance your pet’s safety and give you even more peace of mind, such as using a GPS tracker for pets. GPS trackers are devices that attach to your pet’s collar and provide real-time location tracking via an app on your phone.

You can check your pet’s whereabouts from your smartphone anytime, anywhere. If your dog decides to go on an unexpected adventure, you can quickly locate them and bring them home safely. Our tracker also comes with additional features like activity monitoring and geofencing to give you an even closer connection to your pet. Activity monitoring allows you to make sure your pet is staying physically fit, and geofencing allows you to set virtual boundaries so you’ll receive an immediate alert if your pet wanders too far. Both of these features are fun ways to keep track of your pet’s health and safety and allow them to go on adventures while giving you peace of mind.

Combining a microchip with a GPS tracker gives you a comprehensive safety net. While the microchip provides permanent identification, the GPS tracker offers immediate tracking capabilities. This dynamic duo ensures you’re always connected to your pet, no matter where they roam.

Bringing a pet into your home is a beautiful journey filled with moments of joy and companionship. By following these steps to register and update your pet’s microchip, you can provide the ultimate safety and security for your furry friend. Here’s to many happy, worry-free adventures with your beloved pet!

Resources: 

1. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/check-chip-day-lifesaving-reminder-ensure-pets-microchipp-current#:~:text=An%20estimated%2010%20million%20dogs,when%20a%20dog%20was%20microchipped.

2. https://www.avma.org/events/national-check-chip-day