Microchip Your Pet: What Owners Should Know

Your pet's collar can come off, an ID tag can become unreadable, and a frightened animal may slip through an open door before anyone notices. A microchip gives shelters and veterinary clinics another way to identify your pet if they are found.

But how pet microchips work is often misunderstood. They do not track your pet's location or replace a collar. They are a permanent identification tool that works best when the chip is registered and your contact details are kept current.

What Is a Pet Microchip?

A pet microchip is a tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, usually about the size of a grain of rice. It is placed under the skin, commonly between the shoulder blades.

The chip contains a unique identification number. It does not usually contain your name, phone number, or address. Those details are stored in a registry database and linked to the chip's ID number.

Most pet microchips are:

• Passive, meaning they do not contain a battery
• Designed to remain in place for your pet's lifetime
• Made from biocompatible materials
• Used for dogs, cats, and other companion animals
• Recognized by shelters, animal control teams, and veterinary clinics

A microchip is not a visible form of identification. It works alongside, rather than instead of, a collar and ID tag.

How Pet Microchips Work

Understanding how pet microchips work is simpler than it may sound.

A shelter or veterinary clinic uses a microchip scanner to sweep over your pet's body. The scanner sends out a low-energy radio signal. That signal briefly powers the passive chip, which responds by sending its unique ID number back to the scanner.

The scanner displays the number. Staff can then use it to search the relevant microchip registry and find the contact information connected to your pet.

The process looks like this:

1. A scanner sends a radio signal toward the chip.
2. The chip responds with its unique ID number.
3. The scanner displays that number.
4. The shelter or clinic searches the chip registry.
5. Registry staff use the listed contact details to reach you.

The chip itself does not:

• Use GPS
• Track your pet's location
• Send a cellular signal
• Store real-time medical or owner information
• Let you view your pet's movements remotely

If someone finds your lost pet but does not take them to a shelter, veterinary clinic, or animal control facility, the chip may never be scanned. That is why visible identification still matters.

How Microchips Are Implanted

Microchips are generally implanted by a veterinarian or authorized shelter professional. The procedure is similar to a routine injection, although the needle used for a microchip is somewhat larger than a standard vaccine needle.

During the appointment:

• A professional scans the chip before implantation to confirm its ID.
• The skin is cleaned.
• The chip is inserted under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades.
• The chip is scanned again after placement.
• The ID number and registry information are recorded.

The process is typically very quick. Many pets are microchipped during another appointment, such as a vaccination visit or spay or neuter procedure.

Most pets experience no more discomfort than they would from a routine injection. They may be briefly sensitive at the insertion site, but serious complications are uncommon. In rare cases, a chip can move slightly under the skin, which is known as migration. This is one reason a professional should scan the pet thoroughly during routine visits.

Follow the clinic's aftercare instructions. Contact your veterinarian if you notice ongoing swelling, discharge, significant pain, or other unusual changes at the implantation site.

If you're scheduling a visit specifically to have your pet microchipped, bringing the right items can make the appointment smoother—see our list of what to bring to vet visits to prepare ahead of time and avoid delays. 10 Things Your Vet Wishes You'd Bring to Every Appointment

Pet Microchip Registration Matters Most

Implantation is only the first step. Pet microchip registration connects the ID number to your contact details.

A chip that has never been registered, or that is linked to an old phone number, may not help reunite you with your pet. After implantation:

• Register the chip as soon as possible.
• Confirm that your name and contact information are correct.
• Add more than one reliable contact when the registry allows it.
• Update your details whenever you move or change phone numbers.
• Record the chip number and registry name in your pet's records.
• Ask the clinic how to transfer ownership if your pet changes homes.

There are multiple microchip registries, and not every chip is automatically registered with the same database. Ask your veterinarian or shelter which registry manages your pet's chip and how to confirm that your information is visible to the organizations most likely to scan it.

Keep a copy of the chip number in a secure place, such as your pet's medical file. You can also ask your veterinarian to scan the chip at routine appointments and confirm that the number matches your records.

Building simple, repeatable habits—like scanning the chip during scheduled visits and updating the registry when you move—helps keep registration current. For tips on creating pet health habits that you’ll actually keep, see our guide to building a pet health routine that works for real life.

Do Microchips Track Pets?

No. Most pet microchips are passive RFID devices, not GPS trackers.

A GPS device needs a power source and communication network to transmit location information. A standard microchip has neither. It can only provide an identification number when a compatible scanner is held close to it.

If you want location tracking, you would need a separate GPS-enabled device designed for pets. Even then, a GPS tracker should not replace a microchip, because collars can be lost, batteries can run out, and devices can stop transmitting.

Microchip Scanners and Compatibility

Many shelters and veterinary clinics use scanners designed to read common microchip frequencies. Some scanners can detect several types of chips, but compatibility is not universal in every situation.

Older chips, chips using different frequencies, or chips from another country may require a different scanner. International travel can make this especially important because some countries use specific standards, including ISO-compatible systems.

Before traveling internationally:

• Ask your veterinarian to scan your pet's chip.
• Confirm the chip's number and format.
• Check the destination country's entry requirements.
• Verify whether the chip meets the required standard.
• Keep vaccination and travel records together.
• Follow any timing requirements for vaccinations, testing, or certificates.

Travel rules can vary by country and may change, so check current government or veterinary authority guidance well before departure. If you're preparing records for travel, our complete pet travel checklist can help you gather the documents and details you'll need.

What Microchips Cannot Guarantee

Microchipping can greatly improve the chance of a reunion, but it is not a guarantee. A lost pet may not be scanned, the chip may be registered to outdated information, or a facility may not have the right scanner immediately available.

Reunions can also be delayed when:

• The owner never completed registration.
• A phone number or email address is no longer active.
• The pet is scanned but the registry cannot reach the owner.
• The pet's chip number was recorded incorrectly.
• The animal is found by someone who does not visit a shelter or veterinarian.
• A chip has migrated and is missed during a quick scan.

For the best protection, use several layers of identification:

• A properly fitted collar
• A readable ID tag with a current phone number
• A registered microchip
• Current photos of your pet
• A written record of the chip number
• An emergency contact who can respond if you are unavailable

Visible tags may help someone contact you immediately. The microchip provides a more permanent backup if the collar is lost.

What to Do If Your Pet Goes Missing

If your pet is lost, act quickly and use the microchip as part of a wider search.

• Report the loss to the microchip registry.
• Confirm that your phone number and email address are current.
• Contact local shelters, animal control agencies, and veterinary clinics.
• Share a recent photo and clear description with local lost-and-found groups.
• Check nearby shelters regularly, even if you have already filed a report.
• Ask neighbors and community members to watch for your pet.
• Keep your phone available for calls from shelters or finders.

If you find a stray dog or cat, take them to a veterinary clinic or shelter for a microchip scan. The scan is usually quick, and it may help locate an owner even when the animal has no collar.

Cost and Where to Get a Microchip

Microchipping is generally an inexpensive service, although prices vary by location and provider. It may be available through:

• Veterinary clinics
• Animal shelters
• Rescue organizations
• Community vaccination clinics
• Low-cost pet-care events

Some shelters and rescue groups offer free or reduced-cost microchipping during community events. Ask whether registration is included in the fee or whether you need to complete it separately.

When choosing a chip, ask your veterinarian about the manufacturer, registry options, scanner compatibility, and any travel requirements that apply in your area.

Quick Microchip Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure your pet's identification is ready:

• Ask your veterinarian whether your pet should be microchipped.
• Have the chip implanted by a qualified professional.
• Record the chip number before leaving the appointment.
• Register the chip immediately.
• Confirm your phone number, email, and address.
• Keep a collar and visible ID tag on your pet.
• Ask for a scan at routine veterinary visits.
• Update the registry after moving or changing contact details.
• Check destination requirements before international travel.
• Save current photos of your pet with their medical records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a microchip hurt my pet?

Implantation is generally no more painful than a routine injection. Your pet may have brief sensitivity afterward, but serious problems are uncommon. Ask your veterinarian what to watch for after the procedure.

Does a microchip replace a collar and ID tag?

No. A collar and tag make it possible for someone to contact you immediately. A microchip is a permanent backup if the collar is lost or removed.

How long does a pet microchip last?

Microchips are designed to remain functional for your pet's lifetime. A veterinarian or shelter can scan the chip during routine visits to confirm that it is readable.

Can a microchip be removed?

Removal is possible, but it requires a surgical procedure and is usually unnecessary. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian rather than attempting to locate or remove the chip yourself.

What should I do if I move?

Update the microchip registry immediately. Also update your pet's ID tag and confirm that any secondary emergency contact information is still correct.

How Setiora Can Help

A microchip is most useful when its details are easy to find. Keeping the chip number, registry information, vaccination records, veterinary contacts, and recent photos together means you can respond quickly if your pet goes missing or your contact details change.

Setiora helps you keep those important pet-care records organized in one place, alongside reminders for routine appointments and preventive care. At your next veterinary visit, ask the clinic to scan your pet's microchip and confirm that the number and registration details are correct.

A microchip is a simple step, but registration, visible identification, and up-to-date records are what turn it into a reliable part of your pet's safety plan.

Sources

For additional guidance, consult:

• American Veterinary Medical Association: Microchipping of Animals
• AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup
• Your local animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or government animal-control authority

Local registration, scanner, and travel requirements can vary, so confirm the details that apply to your pet and location.