Register your dog's microchip in five steps
A microchip only reunites you with your dog if it's registered. Here's exactly how to link your dog's chip number to your contact information, step by step, free for life with United Pet Club.
Five steps to register your dog's microchip
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Step 1: Microchip your dog
If your dog isn't chipped yet, book an appointment with your vet. The procedure takes seconds and doesn't require sedation. You'll get a slip with the chip's ID number on it: keep that somewhere safe until you've finished registering.
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Step 2: Choose a registration service
Some microchip brands run their own registry, but you're not limited to that one option. Register a microchip with United Pet Club instead, and you get a registry that accepts any brand of chip and checks against the American Animal Hospital Association's universal lookup tool.
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Step 3: Enter your dog's information
You'll need the microchip ID number (usually 15 digits), your dog's name, breed, age, and a photo, plus your contact details: name, address, phone number, and email. Double check every field before submitting. A single wrong digit in the chip number breaks the whole link.
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Step 4: Pay any registration fees
Some registries charge a one-time or recurring fee, and others don't. Know what you're signing up for before you submit your information, including whether the registration expires or renews automatically.
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Step 5: Keep your information updated
Update the registry the moment you move, change your phone number, or switch email addresses. A microchip registered to an old address is nearly as unhelpful as one that was never registered at all.
Why microchip registration matters for dogs
A microchip is a small implant, about the size of a grain of rice, placed under your dog's skin between the shoulder blades. It holds a unique ID number that a scanner can read in seconds. On its own, that number does nothing: it has to be linked to your contact information in a registry before anyone can use it to reach you. Dogs get loose more often than owners expect, slipping a collar at the park, bolting during a thunderstorm, or wandering off during a move. A registered chip is what turns a scan at a shelter into a phone call home. A pet ID tag on the collar helps too, since it's the fastest way for a neighbor to reach you without a scanner, but tags fall off and chips don't.
Registration matters for reasons beyond a lost dog, too. Some cities and countries require it, particularly for travel, so registering ahead of time keeps you compliant without extra paperwork later. It also works as a form of proof of ownership: if a dog changes hands informally, through a sale, a rescue, or a dispute, the registry record shows who the dog is linked to and since when. Owners who want extra recovery tools on top of the basics, like SMS alerts or a live agent line, can compare our registration plans. And if your dog has no chip yet, you can still register your dog for free and add the chip number after the vet visit.
What you get from registering
Faster reunions
A registered chip cuts the time between a shelter scanning your dog and you getting the call, sometimes from days down to hours.
Easier travel
Many countries require a registered microchip before a dog can enter. Registering ahead of time avoids delays at customs, and pairing it with a pet passport covers the paperwork side too.
A record that holds up
If ownership is ever disputed, during a custody question, a rehoming, or a boarding mix-up, the registry shows who the dog is linked to and since when.
Less strain on shelters
Every dog reunited quickly frees up kennel space and staff time for strays that need more help.
Questions dog owners ask about microchip registration
What's the difference between microchipping and registering a dog's microchip?
Microchipping is the physical implant, done once by a vet. Registering is the separate step of linking that chip's ID number to your name and contact information in a database. A dog can be chipped and still unregistered, in which case the chip can't lead anyone back to you.
Can I register my dog's microchip in more than one database?
Yes. Registering in multiple databases can widen your coverage, since not every shelter checks every registry. Universal registries on the AAHA lookup tool, like United Pet Club, cut down on how much this matters.
I adopted a dog that already has a microchip. How do I register it in my name?
Contact the registry where the chip is currently listed and request an ownership transfer, using your adoption paperwork as proof. You can also register the chip fresh with United Pet Club; a newer registration takes precedence over an outdated one.
Do I need to renew my dog's microchip registration every year?
It depends on the registry. Some require periodic renewal, others don't. United Pet Club's registration is free for the life of your dog, with no renewal required.
What happens when a shelter scans my dog's chip?
The scanner displays the chip's ID number and the registry it's recorded in. Shelter staff look up that number, find your contact information, and call or email you directly.
How do I register my dog's microchip in the United States?
Register it free with United Pet Club: create an account, enter the chip's 15-digit number, and add your contact details. It works with any brand of chip a US vet implants, the free lifetime plan never charges for updates, and the registry participates in the AAHA universal lookup that American shelters check first.
Register your dog today
It takes a few minutes to link your dog's microchip to your contact information. Do it now, before you need it. Questions? Contact us any time.