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Registering Your Dog’s Microchip

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Your dog’s microchip, furnished by the microchip manufacturer, is a tag no larger than a grain of rice implanted just under your pet’s skin. However, over That means shunning a flashy tag for your pet that does not have any crucial information like their unique ID! of microchipped pets walk around without a registered microchip number. That means having a flashy tag for your pet that doesn’t have any information on it!

A Study Conducted in 2009 on Microchip Registry Success Indeed, microchipping is important. You should be asking, Those who were not returned, primarily had unregistered microchips or outdated contact information in the registry.

So, it’s important to register your dog’s microchip at the first instance to keep them safe and get them back if they ever get lost.

What is a Dog Microchip?

A dog microchip is a small grain-sized RFID transponder that stores an identification number. It doesn’t store any other information, so without registration with a database, this identification number is useless.

If the microchip’s unique number is registered on a database with the owner’s information, pet rescuers can trace them down and return them to their lost pet.

If you adopted a dog from a shelter, they were likely microchipped. You can consult your veterinarian to see if they possess a universal scanner to detect the presence of the microchip. You can also inquire about the microchip insertion and the number from the dig shelter. Alternatively, your vet can help you with the microchipping process.

The Registration Process

Now that you know about microchipping, your next question should be “How to register a dog microchip?”. We have outlined a detailed microchip registration process for your ease:

  • Search for a microchip database or registry in your area.
  • Select one and sign up on their platform online using the microchip number.
  • Add your details including two contact numbers to ensure that you can be reached if your pet goes missing.

Choosing a Microchip Database

There are a lot of microchip databases that you can choose from including paid and free databases.

However, the most important thing to consider when choosing a microchip database is its listing on the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. Shelters and vets use this tool to search for registered microchips if they ever find a lost pet.

The Importance of Accurate Information

Registering a microchip is the first step to making sure that your pet is safe. However, it’s useless if you don’t update your information or have wrong information on the registry because the microchip only contains the microchip number and no other information.

To update information on the registry, you will need to log in to the portal using your credentials and change the information.

Microchips in Lost Pet Recovery

If your pet ever gets lost, vets and shelters will first use a universal scanner (a handheld device) for the microchip and the number. They will then search for your information using the microchip number on various registries.

While the microchip, usually implanted between the pet’s shoulder blades, can shift to another part of the pet’s body due to movement once your pet is microchipped. So, it is important to get the microchip assessed when you visit the vet for an annual checkup. If your pet is lost, a misplaced microchip could also be a cause of trouble.

Common Misconceptions and Myths

There’s a common misconception that the RFID transponder has GPS tracking capabilities that aid in the pet’s recovery. However, this is not true or possible because microchips don’t have a battery.

This chip from the microchip manufacturer contains nothing but a unique 15-digit ID number which becomes useless if it is not registered on a microchip registry or database. However, if you want to track your pet, you can always invest in a GPS-enabled tag or collar which can be charged, a service provided by the microchip manufacturer in some cases.

Microchipping is a common practice that allows pet owners to tag their pets. It is a way to claim ownership of the pet but doesn’t require any legal paperwork. Registering a pet on a database or a registry also only requires your number and home address.

It is now highly suggested for pet owners to get their pets microchipped due to the increasing number of lost pets. It comes under their responsibility to register the unique ID number on a database.

Fees and Maintenance

Most popular microchip databases and registries require an annual subscription fee for retaining the information. However, if your subscription expires, the database might exclude your pet’s microchip ID number from their database.

Therefore, maintaining accurate contact information on the microchip registry is an ongoing responsibility of every pet owner.

Conclusion

Each year, thousands of pets are reunited with their owners just because they have a unique ID provided by the microchip. Long past are the days when dog owners would frantically search for their lost pets by calling out their names or plastering lost posters everywhere. These days, the scan of a microchip can do the job.

However, the pet owner’s responsibilities and troubles don’t end by just implanting a microchip. To ensure their pet’s safety, pet owners need to get their pet’s unique 15-digit microchip number registered on a free microchip database and maintain the information up to date.

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