Practical pet microchip guides for owners, finders and rescuers. Learn how registration works, what chip numbers mean and what to do when a pet is lost or found.
Published: 7 October 2026 If a scanner can’t find your pet’s microchip, don’t jump to the conclusion that the chip is broken. Sometimes, the scanner is moved too fast, the chip has shifted, or the scanner just isn’t the right type for that chip. Usually, the first thing to try is scanning the animal again, … Read more
Published: 1 October 2026 The EU is setting up a new system to help trace dog and cat microchip registrations across borders more easily. However, it will not replace national pet databases with a single EU-wide database. With the new rules, each country will keep its own database for registered dogs and cats. These databases … Read more
Published: 24 September 2026 When planning a trip abroad, it’s easy to overlook your pet’s microchip. It quietly does its job under the skin, doesn’t need a battery, and probably hasn’t caused any problems since it was put in. However, once you cross a border with your pet, that small chip can quickly become one … Read more
Published: 17 September 2026 Most people think of a pet’s microchip as a way to bring a lost pet back home. A vet, shelter, or rescuer scans the animal. The scanner reads the microchip number, which can then be used to find the pet’s registration and, hopefully, contact the owner. But that small chip has … Read more
Published: 13 September 2026 Yes; you can register your pet’s microchip for free. You just need to know where to look. We found genuinely free options in the UK and US, as well as international registries that accept microchips from many countries. The registries in this guide do not require you to buy their microchip, … Read more
Published: 2 September 2026 The EU microchip rules will change from 2028. New pet microchip numbers will start to tell us something they often can’t today: where the animal was first microchipped. From 1 January 2028, microchips used to identify dogs, cats and ferrets under the new rules must start with the numeric country code … Read more
Published: 26 August 2026 Will your pet need a new microchip when moving abroad? In most cases, no. Manufacturers design microchips to last for a pet’s entire life. The number does not have to match your new country. You might need to register your pet’s chip in a new database after you move. Your destination … Read more
Published: 18 August, 2026 No, a pet microchip cannot track your pet’s location. A microchip provides permanent identification, while a GPS tracker shows your pet’s real-time location. Each serves a different purpose. A microchip helps identify your pet after they are found and scanned. A GPS tracker lets you see where your pet is at … Read more
Last updated: 13 August 2026 A pet microchip is a small electronic device that goes under your pet’s skin. It has a unique number that a special scanner can read. The chip does not store your name, phone number, or address. It also cannot track where your pet is. Instead, the microchip number links to … Read more
Last updated: 14 August 2026 Finding out that a found pet is microchipped is a helpful first step, but it might not lead straight to the owner. You’ll need to track the chip number through the correct registry, manufacturer, or organisation. This guide explains what to do after a pet is scanned, how to use … Read more