Protect Your Pet: Why Checking Their Microchip is Critical
Every pet deserves the best chance at a safe, loving life—and sometimes, that means preparing for the unexpected. A microchip is a lifeline, a powerful tool that can mean the difference between a lost pet staying lost and a joyful reunion with their guardian.
A chip alone isn’t enough though—it must be registered and kept up to date. Shelters and animal rescue organizations cannot be listed as the primary contact on chips in California. Most veterinarians will not register microchips on behalf of their patients, and though California requires rescues and shelters to ensure microchips are registered to new adopters, it isn’t always done. This means your pet may have a chip with no information registered. It is crucial that your information is attached to your pet’s chip so they can be reunited with you directly if they are lost.
Save This Life, a pet microchip company based out of Texas left pet owners concerned in February 2025 after unexpectedly ceasing operations, leaving an unknown number of animals unregistered and shelters unable to locate owners in the event of separation.
This is a stark reminder of how important it is to not only microchip your pet, but also to ensure it is registered properly and linked to your updated contact information. Pet owners are urged to have their pet’s microchip scanned to ensure the listed contact information is accurate.
How to Check and (Re)register Your Pet’s Microchip
Valley Humane Society offers microchip scans during regular business hours (Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm). No appointment is needed—just stop by, and our team will scan your pet to check if a microchip is present and provide you with the chip number.
How to find your microchip number
Valley Humane uses a universal scanner which picks up most microchips. You can also ask your veterinarian, but make sure their scanner is universal. If vet clinics partner with one microchip company, they may have a reader that only picks up that brand of chips.
Where to verify microchip registration and contact details
Once you have the microchip number, you can use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool to check its registration status. The tool will show you the microchip company registry linked to your chip. You’ll need to contact that company to ensure your information is accurate. Valley Humane is unable to check this information for you.
Some older or foreign microchips may not be in a database or could have outdated records. If the AAHA tool doesn’t provide a registry, try searching major databases like:
If you still can’t find the registry, it is time to reregister.
How do I reregister a microchip?
To (re) register your animal’s microchip, you must have your chip number. Once you have the number, you can register your chip for free at Free Pet Chip Registry or choose a microchip company listed in the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. Choosing a company that participates in the AAHA national database ensures your pet’s chip is added to the national database. This step is essential for making sure your contact information is accessible if your pet ever goes missing.
What if my pet isn’t microchipped?
Sometimes it turns out your pet is not microchipped (or the chip has been lost). If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, schedule an appointment at your veterinarian to have another one implanted. Before a new chip is implanted, ask your vet to scan your pet’s body one more time. Valley Humane provides microchipping services for pets who are undergoing spay/neuter surgery at our surgery center.
What Every Pet Guardian Should Know About Microchips
Situations like the Save This Life shutdown raise an important question – how do pet owners ensure microchips are doing their job? Understanding how chips work, how to check registration status, and following best practices give your pet the best possible chance of finding their way home if they ever get separated from you.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small, electronic chip (about the size of a grain of rice) that, when scanned by a universal microchip scanner, transmits a number linked to your contact information through the company managing the chip’s registration.
Microchips are NOT GPS trackers—they can’t track your pet’s location. Instead, they serve as a permanent form of identification, ensuring that if your pet is found, they can be traced back to you.
Not all scanners are universal. Some veterinary clinics and shelters have scanners that only detect specific microchip brands. Universal scanners can read all major microchip types, but availability varies by location.
Do Microchips Cause Cancer? No – this is considered a myth. The chips do not emit radiation or electricity. There has been some evidence of tumors near the implantation area. However, the animals impacted weren’t necessarily dogs or cats, and there was no direct link between the tumor and the microchip. There is no conclusive evidence that links microchips to cancer. The veterinary community agrees that microchipping benefits animals.
Why should I register my pet’s microchip?
Registering your pet’s microchip ensures you will be contacted when your lost pet is found and brought to a veterinarian or shelter.
A 2008 study found that microchipping significantly increased the chances of lost pets being reunited with their owners. For dogs, the return-to-owner rate more than doubled—from 21.9% without a registered microchip to 52.2% with one. Cats saw an even greater impact, with reunification rates jumping from just 1.8% without a registered microchip to 38.5% with one. This highlights the crucial role of not only microchipping pets but also keeping registration details up to date
Microchips need maintenance
- Verify your pet’s chip can be scanned. Ask your veterinarian or a local shelter to scan your pet with a universal scanner. It is important to scan the entire body, as microchips tend to migrate over time.
- Update your microchip information if you move or change your phone number. Most microchip companies will charge you a fee to update information. You can use the Microchip Lookup Tool to confirm registration in the national database and also identify who manages your chip’s registration. This is typically the first company listed after your chip number has been searched.
- Add a backup contact (like a trusted friend or family member) in case you are unreachable.
Be Proactive Before Your Pet Gets Lost
While no one expects their pet to go missing, being prepared can make all the difference. Microchipping is a big part of returning your pet home safely, but it does require access to a microchip scanner. Microchips should be a secondary resource to finding your pets. Your primary option is a collar and ID tags. Anyone can read a tag and immediately contact the owner. Though both tools are necessary, relying only on a microchip delays reunification.
Here are some other ways to increase your pet’s chances of being found quickly:
Use a collar and ID tags
- Even if your pet is microchipped, it is always important to have a collar and visible ID tag with your contact information listed. This allows for faster reunification, as good Samaritans return them more quickly.
- Consider using a GPS tracker on their collar for real-time location tracking
Secure your space
- If your animal spends time outside, regularly inspect fences and screens and make immediate repairs when weak spots are identified.
- Keep your animals inside when you aren’t home to avoid accidental escapes
Use a leash and harness when outside
If your pet tends to slip out of their collar, consider using a harness for added security. Always use a leash on walks to ensure their safety and to prevent them from running off.
Teach basic commands
Training your animals to return to you if called is an essential tool. Consistent practice and positive reinforcement make these commands more reliable, keeping your pet safe.
Peace of Mind Starts with Proper Identification
A collar and tag is always the faster way to be reunited with your pets, but sometimes they fall off or are removed. A microchip is a great way to ensure more permanent ownership identification. It can be updated in emergencies to allow finders to know that the animal is lost or stolen. But this tool is only effective if it is registered and kept up to date. Taking a few minutes to check your pet’s microchip—and ensuring it’s properly registered—can make all the difference if they ever get lost. A quick scan today could mean a faster reunion tomorrow. Visit Valley Humane Society during business hours to check your pet’s chip and give yourself peace of mind knowing they have the best chance of finding their way home.