A simple guide to registering your pet's chip
Registration connects the number sitting under your pet's skin to your own contact details, so a scan at the vet or a shelter leads straight back to you. It stays free for life through the United Pet Club pet registry, whether the chip came from us or from somewhere else entirely.
What's handy to have before you begin
It's worth having your pet's microchip number ready first, a 15-digit number usually printed on paperwork from your vet or breeder when the chip was implanted, or shown on a scanner readout if your vet checks it for you. You'll also want your current contact details, plus a few basics about your pet: species, breed, colour, and date of birth if you happen to know it.
Not sure whether your pet has a chip at all? Just ask your vet to scan for one at your next visit, it takes only seconds and most are happy to check during a routine appointment. Once you have the number, registration works the same way whichever company's chip your pet is carrying.
Five steps, taken gently
1
Set up a free account
Sign up for United Pet Club, at no cost. This is where your registration, and anything you update later, will live.
2
Enter the microchip number
Type in the 15 digits from the paperwork or the scanner readout, and it's worth checking each one twice, a single wrong digit ties a scan to someone else's record.
3
Add a bit about your pet
Name, species, breed, colour, and birth date if you know it. These little details help a shelter or vet feel confident they've found the right animal.
4
Add your contact details
Phone number, email, and address, whatever you'd like a finder to use. This is what actually gets contacted once your pet is scanned, so it's worth keeping current.
5
Have a look over it, then save
Give the record a quick read-through and save it. From there your pet's chip is searchable in the registry, and you're welcome to come back and update it any time.
Keeping everything up to date
A microchip really only does its job if the details behind it are correct. If you move, change your number, or rehome your pet, it's worth updating the registry that same day. Updates don't cost anything and take effect right away, so there's not much reason to leave it.
Dogs and cats register in much the same way, and we've got species guides if they'd help: register a dog or register a cat. If your pet doesn't have a chip yet, you can still register your pet first and add the chip number later on. And to see exactly what the free lifetime plan includes before you start, have a look at free microchip registration.
A few registration questions
Where can I register my pet's chip online, and is it really free?
United Pet Club offers this at no cost, at unitedpetclub.com. Create a free account, enter the 15-digit chip number, and add your contact details. The free lifetime plan covers registration and every update after that, with no renewal fee, and it works with chips from any manufacturer.
How long does registering usually take?
Most owners are finished within a few minutes, so long as the microchip number and your pet's basic details are close at hand. There's no waiting period involved, the record becomes searchable the moment you save it.
Can I register a chip that a different company put in?
You certainly can. Enter the number from your pet's paperwork, and it registers with United Pet Club exactly as one of our own chips would.
What if I can't quite find my pet's microchip number?
Your vet or a local SPCA branch can scan for it, it's quick and doesn't cause any discomfort, and most vets are happy to check during a routine visit at no extra charge.
Do I need to start over if I move house or change my number?
Not at all, there's no need to start again. Just log in and update your existing record with the new contact details, the change is free and applies straight away.
How does registering a pet microchip in New Zealand actually work?
This page covers the whole process: set up a free United Pet Club account, enter the 15-digit number, and save your contact details. It sits alongside your dog's annual council registration under the National Dog Database rather than replacing it, and the free lifetime plan covers every update from there. It works from any country too, so travel or a move overseas won't affect it.
Get your pet's chip registered today
It only takes a few minutes, and it's free for the whole of your pet's life.