Should I Microchip My Pet? Here’s What to Know
Microchipping is a permanent form of ID that lives under your pet’s skin. It’s not a GPS tracker, and it won’t help you locate your pet in real time, but it can help reunite you if they’re found and scanned at a shelter or vet clinic. The procedure is simple, often inexpensive, and low-maintenance, and it adds an extra layer of security alongside collars and tags. If your pet ever slips out, a registered microchip could be what brings them back to you.
In honor of National Animal Safety and Protection Month, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about microchips and how they help pets get home safe.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a tiny, rice-sized implant placed under your pet’s skin—usually between the shoulder blades. It’s injected like a vaccine and contains a unique identification number that connects to a registry. That registry holds your name, number, and other contact info.
The chip itself doesn’t store personal data, it only holds the number. Your information lives in an external database, which is only accessible to shelters, vets, or those who scan your pet using the proper device, then search the chip ID. It’s not a tracker. You can’t pull up a map and see where your pet is, but if they’re found and scanned, it creates a direct line back to you.
Did You Know? Many cities are implementing “Microchip Scanning Stations”, where people can scan found pets and get the info they need to help reunite them with their owners. Here’s one from my hometown of Providence, RI.!
Common misconceptions
Even though microchipping is widely recommended, there’s still some confusion about what these devices can and can’t do.
What microchips don’t do:
Track your pet in real time
Replace a collar or visible ID tag
Store personal or medical information
What they can do:
Store a unique ID number that links to your contact info
Offer permanent, tamper-proof ID
Help reunite you with your pet if scanned and registered
Pro tip: Register your pet’s chip with a national database like HomeAgain, 24Petwatch, or AKC Reunite, and update your contact information anytime it changes. You can search a chip number through the Microchip Registry Lookup to find out which registry it’s tied to.
How it works
The chip is injected just under the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades using a pre-loaded sterile syringe. The process is just as quick as a vaccine, and doesn’t require anesthesia. While some people choose to have their pet chipped during a spay, neuter, or dental (since they’re already under), it can also be done during a regular checkup with no sedation required.
Once implanted, the chip typically stays right where it was placed, though it may shift slightly within the surrounding tissue over time. This is normal and doesn’t affect function. Most scanners are designed to sweep across the shoulder and upper back area to catch chips that have moved.
But what about after it’s implanted? Here’s what happens in a real-world scenario: A Good Samaritan finds your dog roaming a park without tags. They bring them to the nearest clinic, where the team scans Fido with a universal microchip reader, which picks up the chip ID. The clinic enters the number into an online lookup tool, which links to your contact details. You get a phone call and your dog gets to go home after his night out in town!
Why it matters
You can do everything right—double-check the gate, tighten the leash, clip on tags—and your pet can still get out. Maybe a door blows open during a storm. Maybe they slip a collar on a walk, or they panic during fireworks and take off before you can stop them. That’s where a microchip becomes essential.
Unlike collars and ID tags, which can fall off or break, a microchip stays with your pet no matter where they end up. It’s permanent, can’t be removed, and doesn’t wear out with time. Most vet clinics and animal shelters scan for chips as part of their intake process—meaning your pet has a much higher chance of being identified and returned, even if they look like a stray.
It’s especially critical for:
Indoor-only pets who don’t wear collars
Pets with medical conditions or anxiety
Adopted animals who may not respond to their name yet
Families who travel often or live in storm-prone areas
In a 2009 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, researchers found that:
Dogs with microchips were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time vs. those without microchips, who were returned only 21.9% of the time
Cats with microchips were returned 38.5% of the time vs. Cats without microchips, only returned just 1.8% of the time
That same study found that only about 58% of microchipped pets in the U.S. are properly registered with current contact info—that meant nearly half of implanted chips didn’t lead anywhere. Despite how effective they are, many pets are never reunited simply because the registration is incomplete or outdated.
FAQs
What if I adopted a pet who’s already chipped?
Ask your vet to scan for a chip. If one’s present, contact the chip company to update the owner info to your name.Does microchipping hurt?
Most pets barely react. The needle is larger than a vaccine needle, but the process is quick and similar in sensation. It can also be done during another procedure if preferred.What happens if I don’t register the chip?
The chip will still be under your pet’s skin, but no one will be able to reach you. Always register your chip and keep your contact info updated in the database.How do I find out which registry my chip is tied to?
Go to petmicrochiplookup.org and enter the chip number. This will direct you to the correct registry where your info is stored.Do indoor-only pets need a microchip?
Yes. Even indoor cats or dogs can sneak out, especially during stressful events like fireworks or moves. A microchip is often the only form of ID that stays with them.Does my pet still need a collar and tags?
Yes! Visible ID is still your first line of defense. Microchips are the backup if that fails..
Final thoughts
Microchipping isn’t just a box to check at the vet’s office—it’s an easy, lifelong layer of protection that works quietly in the background. Most of the time, you’ll never need it. But when you do, it matters.
Every day, shelters reunite pets with their families because of a quick scan and an updated registry. That simple moment only happens because someone took a few extra minutes to make sure their pet was covered. If your pet’s already microchipped, use this as a reminder to confirm your contact details are current. And if they’re not chipped yet, consider adding it to your next vet visit. It’s a small effort that can have an enormous impact when it counts.
