A study published in 2009 reported that pets arriving at a shelter with microchip identification are much more likely to make it home again.
It also reported that the reason pets with a microchip don’t get home is because the information that is registered with the microchip number is outdated or incomplete.
That’s why the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have declared August 15 Check the Chip Day – because microchips only work if you register them and keep the information up to date!
This August 15th, check the chip!
If your pet has a microchip:
Check to make sure the information is up to date! Try the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool or contact the microchip company directly (since not all microchip companies participate in the Universal tool), with your pet’s chip number, and make sure all of the information is accurate. This includes your information, as well as any contact information for your emergency back-up contacts.
If your pet has a microchip but you don’t know the chip number or company that issued it:
The veterinarian who implanted the chip or the shelter your pet was adopted from will have the information on file. If all else fails, take your pet to the veterinarian and ask them to scan the chip for you (then keep the information in a safe place!). Then verify your contact information with the chip company as described above.
If you are unsure whether your pet has a chip:
Take your pet to your veterinarian and ask them to check.
If your pet does not have a microchip:
Get one! It’s quick, painless, and can make all the difference if your pet gets lost or stolen. For more information, contact your veterinarian, or check out this video.