Blog: How Can You Find a Lost Pet if They Have a Microchip?

Losing a pet is a heart-wrenching experience that no pet owner wants to face. Thankfully, modern technology has made it easier to reunite owners with lost pets, and one of the most effective tools for this is microchipping. A pet microchip is a small electronic chip injected between the shoulder blades that provides a permanent form of identification, significantly increasing the chances of finding a lost pet. However, while microchipping is crucial, it’s only one part of the lost pet recovery process. In this article, we’ll explore how microchip identification works and the steps you can take to bring your beloved pet back home if they are ever lost.

Understanding How Microchips Work

A microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, is implanted just under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. This microchip contains a unique identification number that can be read by a microchip scanner. When a lost pet is found and taken to a vet clinic, animal shelter, or animal control, staff can use a scanner to retrieve the identification number stored on the chip. Once your pet is microchipped, it’s crucial to register the number with your details in an online microchip registry database. This registration links the microchip number with your personal contact information, enabling you to be contacted and reunited with your pet.

For a microchip to be effective, it’s vital to register your pet’s microchip on a website, such as PetLink, and keep your contact information updated. If your phone number, address, or email changes, updating the registry ensures you can be contacted quickly if your pet is found. Failing to register the chip or keep your information current could prevent a successful reunion with your pet.

Immediate Steps to Take When a Pet Goes Missing

When you realize your pet is missing, it’s natural to panic. However, staying calm will help you act quickly. Here are some immediate steps to take:

1. Check Your Home and Surroundings: Thoroughly search your home and yard. Pets can hide in unexpected places, so check closets, under furniture, and any small spaces where they might feel safe.
2. Notify Neighbors: Speak to your neighbors and ask if they’ve seen your pet. Pets might wander into nearby yards or get accidentally locked in a garage or shed.
3. Search the Local Area: Walk or drive around your neighborhood, calling your pet’s name and bringing along their favorite toy or treat. Pets can become disoriented and may not find their way home on their own.
4. Stay Calm and Take Action: The faster you start searching, the better. Pets are more likely to be found close to home if the search begins quickly. Staying calm allows you to think clearly and make informed decisions during the search.

Using the Microchip to Find Your Lost Pet

Did you know that pets with a microchip are over three times more likely to be reunited with their families than those without? Microchips are one of the most reliable methods for reuniting lost pets with their owners. Here’s how to use your pet’s microchip to help with the search:

1. Contact the Microchip Company: If your pet is missing, immediately contact the company that registered the microchip. Provide them with your pet’s identification number and ensure your contact information is up to date in their database.
2. Notify Local Shelters and Veterinary Clinics: Animal shelters, veterinary offices, and animal control facilities are often the first places where lost pets are taken. Call or visit these locations and provide them with your pet’s microchip number. These facilities will scan any new animals for microchips, so if your pet is brought in, they can quickly contact you.
3. Use Pet Recovery Services: PetLink offers lost pet recovery services that provide tools and resources, like lost pet posters, to help you find your pet. They also offer guidance on the search process and detailed tips for reuniting with your pet.

There are countless stories of lost pets being reunited with their owners thanks to microchipping. For instance, PetLink helped reunite a cat with its owner after two years of being lost. In July 2024, a 5-month-old puppy ran off after fireworks but was reunited with its owner in less than 12 hours thanks to its microchip. These stories are true testaments to the effectiveness of microchipping in bringing pets back home.

Additional Tips for Finding a Lost Pet

In addition to using your pet’s microchip and the steps above, here are some extra tips to increase the chances of finding your lost pet:

1. Create Lost Pet Posters: PetLink offers templates for lost pet posters, allowing you to design a clear and eye-catching poster with your pet’s photo, a brief description, and your contact information. Post these in your neighborhood, at local businesses, and on community boards.
2. Leverage Social Media: Share your pet’s information on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Join local pet recovery groups and ask friends and neighbors to share your post to reach a wider audience.
3. Use a Professional Pet Tracker: If you need additional help, consider enlisting the services of a professional pet tracking organization. These organizations have access to more search volunteers and trained search dogs to help find your pet.
4. Use Technology: Consider using additional technology like a GPS tracker, which allows you to track your pet’s location in real-time. These tools can be invaluable in conjunction with microchipping, providing a multi-layered approach to finding your lost pet.
5. Network with the Community: Talk to your local mail carrier, delivery drivers, and others who regularly travel through your neighborhood. They can be extra eyes on the lookout for your pet.
6. WhatsApp: Consider starting a WhatsApp group for all those involved in searching for your lost pet. If they are spotted you want to know straight away to have the best chance of finding them. Sightings are your most valuable asset when trying to find a lost pet.

What to Do When Your Pet Is Found

When your pet is finally found, it’s a time of relief and joy, but there are still important steps to take:

1. Verify the Microchip Number: If your pet is found by someone else, confirm that the microchip information matches yours to ensure you are the rightful owner.
2. Visit the Vet: Take your pet to the veterinarian for a thorough physical exam. Pets that have been missing might have injuries, be dehydrated, or have other health issues that need attention.
3. Update the Microchip Registry: Verify that your contact information in PetLink’s microchip registry is accurate and up to date. Keeping this information current is crucial for your pet’s future safety.
4. Prevent Future Escapes: Assess how your pet went missing in the first place and take steps to prevent it from happening again. This might include repairing fences, securing doors, or using additional tools like a GPS tracker.

Microchipping is a powerful tool in the lost pet recovery process and a reliable way to increase the chances of reuniting with your pet. Combining a microchip with quick action and a comprehensive search plan will help ensure your pet is back home in no time.

Understanding how microchips work and knowing the steps to take when your pet goes missing can significantly increase the chances of being reunited. Always keep your pet’s microchip information up to date in the registry to ensure a swift reunion with your beloved pet.

Resources: 

1. https://www.humananimalsupportservices.org/uncategorized/new-analysis-pets-with-microchips-are-three-times-more-likely-to-get-home/