Learn About Microchips

Checking if a chip is registered Enter the chip's ID number into the free AAHA Universal Microchip Lookup Tool, which searches across participating registries and reports back where — if anywhere — the chip has a record. It's the same first step vets and shelters use. Choosing a registry Look for a registry that participates in the AAHA Universal Lookup Tool, charges a fee model you're comfortable with long-term, lets you edit your information easily, and supports transferring the registration if you rehome the pet. Fixing a record Contact the registry that holds the record, not the vet or the chip manufacturer — most let you edit contact information directly through an account you log into. How to register a chip Find the chip's ID number, pick a registry, create an account, enter your and your pet's information, and pay any fee the registry charges — the whole process usually takes a few minutes once you have the number in hand. Is registration free? It depends on the registry — some offer free basic registration, others charge a one-time fee, and a few run subscriptions. There's no single industry-wide price, so it's worth checking before assuming either way. Privacy and your record A microchip record isn't publicly searchable by name or address — it only surfaces to whoever scans the physical chip and looks the number up. What that person sees next varies by registry; some share the owner's contact info outright. On mChip.org, a finder's info is always shared with you, and yours is only shared with a finder once you've flagged the pet as missing. Deletion practices vary by registry, so check with yours directly. Registering a chip you didn't buy Yes. Registries generally don't care who implanted the chip or where it came from — only the ID number and accurate owner information matter. If the chip is still unregistered you can register it directly; if a breeder, shelter, or previous owner already registered it, they transfer it to you instead. Transferring registration Most registries provide a way for the current registered owner to transfer the registration to a new owner. What goes on a record At minimum, a registry needs your name, phone number, email, and address, plus a basic description of your pet. Emergency contacts and vet information are common optional extras that make a record more useful in specific situations. What a registry does A microchip registry is a database that links a chip's ID number to an owner's contact information, so a vet or shelter that scans a lost pet can find out who to call. Registries are separate from chip manufacturers and from each other. Why current records matter A microchip only works if the contact information behind it is accurate — a stale record is a dead end for reunion by microchip. An out-of-date phone number or address is one of the most common reasons a chipped pet doesn't get home. Registration vs. implantation Implanting a chip is a quick medical procedure that gives a pet an ID number; registration is the separate step of attaching your contact information to that number in a database. Skipping registration leaves the chip functionally useless.

Updating your contact info Sign in to your mChip.org account and edit the contact details on a chip's record directly — changes take effect immediately, so a scan reflects them right away.