Check Your Pet’s Chip: Why Microchip Lookup Matters

A third of all family pets will get lost at some point during their lives. Parents of skittish pets can attest to the fact that many make a break for it on a regular basis. Loud noises from fireworks can exacerbate this issue during the summer months, but pets get separated from their families all year round. That’s why microchips have become a must-have piece of technology for dog and cat lovers across the nation.

Veterinarians implant these small, electronic devices through a minimally invasive procedure. Once the chip is in place, its serial number is added to at least one of several databases alongside the pet owner’s contact information. These databases are essential for reuniting lost pets with their families — but only if the information is accurate and up to date.

Microchip Fast Facts

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has collected survey data from pet owners over the last several years. They provide a snapshot of microchip efficacy:

• Only 10% of lost pets ever return home without the help of identification.
• Just 6 in 10 microchips are registered in a database.
• Microchipped dogs are twice as likely to return home, and microchipped cats are more than twenty times more likely to return home than animals without microchips.

While they’re not a guarantee, microchips dramatically increase the chances of a reunion with your lost dog or cat. Providing for thousands and thousands of homecomings, they’ve led to many inspiring stories. Some pets, the AVMA reports, have returned home despite traveling thousands of miles and experiencing months of separation.

National Check the Chip Day

In 2017, the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) teamed up to introduce National Check the Chip Day. After all, it’s not enough to get a pet microchipped and hope for the best. If that microchip isn’t accurately registered in the appropriate database, it could wind up being useless. The holiday (August 15th) is intended to promote discussions about microchips between vets and their clients and encourage pet lovers to keep their contact information up to date.

Checking your pet’s microchip couldn’t be simpler. Dr. Mike Topper, president of the AVMA, notes, “It takes less than two minutes to check and update your contact information, and this small act can make all the difference.”

Why Registration Matters More Than the Chip Itself

Microchipping is only half the equation — registration is what makes the chip useful. A chip without updated contact information is like a phone with no service. When shelters or veterinarians scan a lost pet, they rely on the microchip number to pull up the owner's details. If the chip isn’t registered, or if the phone number or address is outdated, the reunion may never happen.

Many pet owners assume their vet or shelter automatically registers the chip, but that’s not always the case. It’s the pet parent’s responsibility to ensure the chip is linked to a current phone number and email address. That’s why tools like the AAHA microchip lookup and 24Petwatch microchip lookup (available here at PetPlace) are so valuable — they help you verify your pet’s registration status in minutes.

Even if your pet has never gone missing, regular check-ins are essential. Moving to a new home, changing phone numbers, or switching email providers can all render your microchip data obsolete. Think of it like renewing your pet’s ID — a small task that can make a life-changing difference.

How to Check Your Pet’s Chip

Want to celebrate National Check the Chip Day? It could be as simple as logging into the manufacturer’s database or using a universal pet microchip lookup tool. The AAHA microchip lookup tool is a great place to start.

It allows you to search for your pet’s microchip number and find out which registry it’s associated with. This includes major manufacturers like AKC Companion Animal Recovery and 24Petwatch by PetPlace.

If you’re specifically looking for a dog microchip lookup, the AAHA tool works just as well for canine companions. For pets microchipped through 24Petwatch by PetPlace, you can also use the 24Petwatch microchip lookup directly to verify and update your contact information.

At least one manufacturer, Avid, maintains its own exclusive database, so it’s important to know which brand your pet’s chip belongs to. If you can’t remember your brand of microchip or your pet’s identification number, contact your veterinarian to find out.

They’ll provide the necessary information to log on, check your pet’s registration status, and update your contact information. At most, you’ll need to register with the manufacturer’s database to ensure your pet is on the books — that’s not much work for peace of mind.

Thinking About Microchipping?

Bringing home a new dog or cat? Learn more about how the quick, painless, and inexpensive microchipping process can take some of the stress out of pet parenthood. It’s one of the most effective ways to ensure your furry friend finds their way back home — no matter how far they roam.