It’s important to register your pet’s microchip, as it is not a GPS tracking device.
Pet Microchipping and Registration
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice (12mm) and is implanted beneath your pet’s skin, between the shoulder blades. The procedure is similar to a vaccination shot and takes a few seconds. The microchip contains a number unique to your pet and is used as an identifier when scanned by a shelter or vet.
It’s important to register and store your contact information in a registry (database) and keep it up to date so you can be contacted should your pet be lost and then found. The microchip is only as powerful as the registration as it is not a tracking device. Learn more about how microchips work here.
The use of microchips significantly increases the chance that a lost pet will be returned to its family, reducing euthanasia of unclaimed pets. But leaving your pet chipped but unregistered defeats the very purpose of the chip.
Michelson Found Animals started the first free microchip registry in 2005. Many registries claim to be free but charge for updates and other hidden fees. Learn more from Michelson Found Animals Foundation founder Dr. Gary Michelson’s USA Today op-ed.
Here is a list of companies where you can register your pet’s microchip ID for free.
Four Places to Register Your Pet’s Microchip for Free
Pethealth purchased Michelson Found Animals’ microchip registry and launched a new registration portal called 24PetWatch.
- Basic microchip ID account registration is free. Costs may apply for other types of services.
- Pet accounts originally registered in MFA’s Found.org registry were transferred and managed by Pethealth.
You can register your pet’s microchip and contact details in 911PetChip’s free pet chip registry database so your information can be found if you are separated from your pet.
- There are no fees for registration, maintenance, or updating your contact information.
- It is free for the life of your pet and can be used by anyone with any brand of microchip.
Enrollment is only “free” for those who received chips with prepaid enrollment.
- Lifetime enrollment is $19.50 online, and there are no annual fees.
- Enrollment will help ensure your pet’s safe return when found.
The SmartTag microchip is a permanent pet ID with a one-time lifetime registration and a visible metal SmartTag pet ID.
- Offers free registration of SmartTag chips but not for other brands.
- Anti-migration feature to help ensure that it stays in place so that it can be easily located and scanned.
If your pet gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter or veterinarian, they will scan the microchip to read its unique ID code. This is the number SmartTag uses to identify the pet and retrieve your contact information, which is used to contact and reunite you with your pet.
Do you have questions about these registries or microchipping your pet? Reach out to Michelson Found Animals here.
