The benefits of microchipping your pet: why it matters and how it works
A microchip is the one form of pet ID that cannot fall off or be removed. Here is how the procedure works, what it costs, and why it still needs a tag as backup.
Microchipping
The chip itself does nothing on its own
A microchip has no battery and no GPS chip inside it. It simply stores a fixed ID number, and that number only becomes useful once a scanner reads it and someone checks it against the right registry. The chip alone can't locate a pet or call an owner.
Most failed reunions come down to registration, not the chip
A humane society scans a lost dog or cat, pulls up a chip number, and finds no registration or a phone number that's no longer in service. That gap accounts for far more failed reunions than an actual chip malfunction, which almost never happens.
Does a microchip let me track my pet's location?
No. There's no battery or GPS involved, so it can't be tracked like a phone. It only stores an ID number that a scanner can read up close.
How do I find out which registry my pet is on?
Ask the veterinarian or shelter that implanted the chip, or check with the manufacturer directly. A universal chip lookup tool can also help you find the right registry.
How pet microchip registration works: what actually happens after your pet is chipped
The chip only stores a number. Registration links it to your contact details, and it's the part owners most often skip or let go stale.