Blog: What to Do if You Don’t Have Your Pet’s Microchip On Hand

When it comes to keeping our beloved pets safe, microchips play a crucial role in reuniting missing pets with their families. In fact, studies show that microchipped pets are three times more likely to be reunited with their owners1! However, for your pet’s microchip to work effectively, the microchip information must be accessible and up-to-date. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to access your pet’s microchip details. Let’s dive into how you can retrieve and manage this important information.

Why microchip information is essential

Having your pet’s microchip information readily available isn’t just convenient, but it’s also vital to their safety. When your pet’s microchip is scanned by a vet or shelter, it links to your personal contact information, provided you’ve registered the microchip in the online microchip registry. If your pet’s microchip details and your contact information are up-to-date, you dramatically increase the chances of a happy reunion if they ever go missing.

What to do if you don’t have your pet’s microchip information 

If you can’t find your pet’s microchip information, there’s no need to worry. There are several steps you can take to find the information or update it. 

• Make sure your pet has been microchipped. Even if you adopted your pet from a shelter, it can be easy to assume all pets have been microchipped, but that’s not always the case. It’s important to confirm your pet has been microchipped by taking them to your veterinarian or an animal shelter to have them scanned for a microchip. 

• Search for the original microchip documentation from your vet. Suppose you took your pet to your veterinarian to have them microchipped. In that case, you should receive the original paperwork containing the 15-digit microchip number with instructions for registering your pet’s microchip in the online pet microchip lookup. Additionally, many vet records, like an invoice or vaccine record, may also list your pet’s microchip. 

• Take your pet to your vet or a shelter to have them scanned for a microchip. If you can’t find any documents with your pet’s microchip number, you can take them to any vet clinic or animal shelter to have them scanned. This is a quick, easy, and free service.  
• Use the PetLink Personal Scanner to scan your pet’s microchip yourself. This small, affordable personal scanner lets you check your pet’s microchip anytime. 

Tips to ensure microchip information is accessible

Storing your pet’s microchip information in a safe yet accessible way can avoid future issues and save your stress later on. Here are some best practices to ensure your pet’s microchip information is accessible:

• Store the microchip number in multiple places, like your phone, email, or cloud storage, and keep a physical document in a safe place. 
• Take photos of all relevant documentation. 
• Schedule annual reminders to verify and update your contact information with the online microchip registry.
• Ensure the microchip number is added to all their medical records at your vet clinic. 
• Remember to keep your contact information updated anytime you change your phone number, email address, or move. 

Having quick access to your pet’s microchip information provides peace of mind and ensures that you’re prepared for any situation. By following these guidelines and keeping your pet’s microchip information current, you’re taking an important step in ensuring your pet’s safety and being reunited if they were ever to become lost. Being proactive in organizing and securing your pet’s microchip information so you always have access to it gives them the best chance of being found quickly and safely.  

Resources: 

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