This guide explains how pet microchip registration works in Canada, where to check a Canadian microchip, and what to do if the number is not found.
In this guide:
If you already have a microchip number, start with ChipTrace. It can help you check possible databases, country clues and manufacturer routes before you contact registries manually.
What do Canadian microchip numbers look like?
Most modern pet microchips follow the ISO standard and contain 15 digits.
The official ISO numeric country code for Canada is 124.
A Canadian country-coded microchip may therefore begin with 124.
However, not every pet living in Canada has a 124 chip. Many animals have manufacturer-coded microchips or chip numbers from other countries.
Manufacturer-coded microchips start with the digit 9. These numbers may appear in several countries, so they do not prove where the pet was chipped or registered.
Some older animals may have a 9-digit or 10-character chip.
Other animals received the microchip in another country before moving to Canada.
This is common with:
- Imported dogs and cats
- Pets adopted through foreign rescues
- Animals that moved to Canada with their families
- Pets that previously lived in the United States
- Older pets with non-standard microchip formats
- Animals with previous registrations abroad
A readable foreign or manufacturer-coded chip can still identify the animal in Canada.
Also, the same number may be accepted by a Canadian registry when the owner creates or updates the record.
In short, the first digits can give a clue about origin. They do not prove where the animal lives or which registry holds the registration.
Example formats commonly found in Canada
Many different microchip numbers may appear in Canada. These examples show a few possible formats, but many other variations exist.
124123456789012— Canadian country-coded microchip985123456789012— manufacturer-coded microchip981123456789012— manufacturer-coded microchip900123456789012— manufacturer-coded microchip840123456789012— United States country-coded microchip123456789— older 9-digit chip format
Use the prefix as a clue only, because a manufacturer-coded prefix can appear in more than one country.
Always check the complete number.
Read our guide to pet microchip numbers for more detailed information and practical steps.
What should you do if you find a pet with a Canadian microchip number?
Follow these quick tracing steps to help reunite the animal with its owner.
- Ask a veterinarian, shelter, rescue or animal service to scan the animal and confirm the full microchip number.
- Use ChipTrace to check available databases and possible country, registry or manufacturer clues.
- Enter the number in the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup.
- Contact the registry shown in the AAHA result.
- Check the main Canadian registries when no result appears.
- Check databases in the United States or another country where the animal may have lived.
- Contact any veterinarian, shelter, rescue, breeder or previous organisation that may be connected to the animal.
Who can contact the owner?
The AAHA lookup may show which participating registry holds the record.
When several results appear, the most recently updated registry is normally shown first.
The lookup does not show the owner’s private details.
Instead, the registry, veterinarian, shelter, rescue or animal service can help contact the registered owner.
A negative AAHA result does not necessarily mean that the microchip is unregistered.
Not every registry takes part in the lookup.
If nobody can reach the owner, you can post on local social media and leave notices at veterinary clinics, shelters, rescues, municipal animal services and nearby shops.
Do not publish the complete microchip number online. Share only part of it so ownership claims can be checked safely.
Remember: many owned cats in Canada are allowed to roam near their homes. Do not assume that every outdoor cat is lost.
Before taking action, look for signs that the animal is injured, frightened, displaced, trapped, very young, or unfamiliar with the area.
Read Found a Microchipped Pet? What to Do Next for practical advice and template messages you can send to local shelters and vets.
What if the microchip number is not found in any database?
A missing database result is not always the end of the trace.
Start by asking a veterinarian, shelter, rescue or animal service to scan the animal again and confirm every digit. One wrong digit can return no result.
Why the microchip may not appear
Possible causes and next steps:
- The chip was implanted, but nobody registered it correctly. Ask the veterinarian, breeder, shelter or rescue to check their records.
- Someone entered the number incorrectly. Re-scan the animal and search again with the verified number.
- The registration may be very recent. Try again later and contact the registry directly.
- The registry may be temporarily unavailable. Repeat the search and keep manual routes open.
- The record may sit in a registry that does not take part in AAHA. Check the main Canadian registries separately.
- The animal may still be registered in the United States or another country. Use ChipTrace for country or manufacturer clues and open the relevant manual route.
- The chip is manufacturer-coded. Use the manufacturer or distributor route when no registry result appears.
Extra tracing routes to try
- Use ChipTrace again after confirming the number. It may suggest a likely country, registry, manufacturer or distributor.
- Use the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup.
- Check 24Petwatch, EIDAP, BC Pet Registry and CANADACHIP when relevant.
- Check databases in the United States or another country where the animal has lived.
- Contact the microchip manufacturer or distributor. They may identify the distributor who supplied the chip and the veterinarian, breeder, shelter or rescue that received it.
If online searches give no result
A negative AAHA result does not prove that the chip is unregistered.
The chip may have been implanted but never registered.
The record may exist only with a veterinarian, shelter, rescue, breeder, older database or non-participating registry.
The animal may also remain registered in the United States or another country.
ChipTrace may show possible country, registry or manufacturer information. However, this is only a tracing clue, not a registration result.
Manufacturers and distributors normally do not give out the owner’s private details. Instead, they may identify the distributor that supplied the chip, the veterinarian or organisation that received it, or pass a matched enquiry to the next organisation.
Finding the owner is not guaranteed, but these extra steps often help. If you still cannot trace the owner after checking every route, contact a local shelter, rescue, municipal animal service, veterinarian or public service for advice.
Read our guide to why a microchip may not appear in any database.
Which microchip databases are used in Canada?
Canada has several private and non-profit pet registries.
There is no government database containing every microchipped dog and cat.
A registration may be held by:
- 24Petwatch
- EIDAP
- BC Pet Registry
- CANADACHIP
- Petidco
- Microchip4Solutions
- PetChip Canada
- A veterinary clinic, shelter, rescue or breeder record
- A municipal pet-licence system
- A registry in the United States or another country
An animal may appear in one registry but not another.
The company that supplied the chip often decides where the first record is created.
However, updating one registration does not normally update the others.
Ask the veterinarian, shelter, breeder or rescue which registry was used.
What is the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup?
The AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup is a cross-registry search service.
It is widely used in Canada and the United States.
The lookup accepts 9-, 10- and 15-digit microchip numbers.
It searches participating pet registries.
A result may show which registry or microchip company should be contacted.
It does not normally show the registered owner’s private details.
When several results appear, contact the first registry listed.
This is normally the registry with the most recent update.
If needed, contact the other listed registries as well.
A negative AAHA result does not prove that the chip is unregistered.
Not every registry takes part in the lookup.
What is 24Petwatch?
24Petwatch operates a large North American microchip registry.
It is used by many Canadian veterinarians, shelters and rescue groups.
Basic microchip registration is currently available without a registration fee.
Optional paid products may also be offered.
A 24Petwatch record may include:
- The microchip number
- Information about the animal
- The registered owner’s name
- Telephone numbers
- Email and address details
- Emergency contacts
- Missing-pet information
What is EIDAP?
EIDAP is a Canadian animal-identification company and registry.
It works with veterinarians, shelters, rescues and breeders across Canada.
EIDAP registers dogs, cats, horses and other animals.
It also provides a public microchip lookup.
A veterinarian or shelter can contact EIDAP when a registered animal is found.
EIDAP may also accept microchips supplied by another company.
A one-time registration fee may apply in some cases.
What is the BC Pet Registry?
BC Pet Registry is operated by the BC SPCA.
It is especially relevant to pets living in British Columbia.
However, owners can also register existing microchips from other suppliers.
The registry can record:
- Microchip numbers
- Tattoo numbers
- Some municipal pet-licence numbers
BC Pet Registry records can be identified through the AAHA lookup.
Registration may involve a one-time fee.
What is CANADACHIP?
CANADACHIP is operated by the Canadian Kennel Club.
It is mainly used for dogs with Canadian Kennel Club microchips.
It provides a national recovery record for registered dogs.
Some dogs that are not otherwise registered with the Canadian Kennel Club can also be added.
Pedigree registration and microchip recovery registration are separate.
Check that the dog has an active CANADACHIP recovery record.
How does ChipTrace search Canada?
ChipTrace checks available connected databases and international search routes.
It may identify a possible Canadian registry, chip supplier or manufacturer.
The AAHA lookup remains an important separate manual route for Canadian and North American chips.
ChipTrace also checks other available international databases.
It may identify possible country or manufacturer information when no registration is found.
What can ChipTrace show?
ChipTrace may show possible country, registry or manufacturer information.
However, a manufacturer match is not a registration result. It does not prove that the animal came from Canada.
ChipTrace shows which automatic databases were checked. It also shows which manual Canadian, North American or international routes are still available.
ChipTrace does not display private owner information. A registry, veterinarian, shelter, rescue, animal service or authorised organisation must contact the owner.
Read how ChipTrace works for more information about database searches and next-step advice.
Are microchips required in Canada?
Canada does not have one national rule requiring every privately owned dog and cat to have a microchip.
The rules vary by province, territory and municipality.
Some local authorities require permanent identification.
Others require dogs or cats to have a municipal licence.
A microchip does not always replace that licence.
A microchip may also be required by:
- A shelter or rescue before adoption
- A breeder or kennel organisation
- A municipal identification programme
- An airline or destination country
- Rules for some commercial animal imports
Ask your municipality which rules apply where you live.
Are cats required to be microchipped?
There is no general Canadian rule requiring every privately owned cat to have a microchip.
However, local rules may be different.
Microchipping and registration are still strongly recommended.
An indoor cat can also escape.
A registered microchip gives a finder another route back to the owner.
Cats travelling to some countries also need a readable ISO-compatible chip.
Does my pet also need a municipal licence?
Possibly.
Many Canadian cities require dogs to have a local licence.
Some municipalities also license cats.
A municipal licence and a microchip registration are separate records.
You may therefore need to:
- Register the microchip with a recovery database
- Buy or renew a municipal pet licence
- Update both records when your details change
Do not assume that changing one record will update the other.
How to register a pet microchip in Canada
A veterinarian normally implants the microchip.
After that, the number must be linked to the animal and owner in a registry.
To register a pet:
- Confirm the complete microchip number.
- Ask which registry is linked to the chip.
- Use the AAHA lookup when the registry is unknown.
- Contact the registry through its official website.
- Create or claim the animal’s record.
- Add your current address and contact details.
- Add an emergency contact when possible.
- Check every digit carefully.
- Keep the registration confirmation.
- Check whether a municipal licence is also required.
Documents useful for registration
Useful documents may include:
- The microchip certificate
- A vaccination record
- Veterinary records
- An adoption contract
- A purchase agreement
- A foreign registration document
- A municipal pet licence
Does the veterinarian register the chip automatically?
Not always.
Some clinics complete the first registration for the owner.
Others provide a form, certificate or online registration link.
Before leaving, ask:
- Which registry holds the record?
- Has the registration been completed?
- Is there a registration fee?
- Is the complete microchip number correct?
- Are my contact details included?
- How can I update the record later?
Do not assume that implantation means registration is complete.
A chip without current contact details may not lead a finder back to you.
Which Canadian registry should I use?
Start with the registry already connected to the microchip.
The veterinarian, shelter, breeder or rescue should be able to identify it.
You can also enter the number in the AAHA lookup.
This may show which participating registry already holds the record.
Check for an existing registration before creating another one.
More than one correct registration can sometimes help.
However, different contact details can slow down tracing.
Keep the same information in every active registry.
Can I add a global microchip registration?
Yes. A global registration can provide another route back to the owner.
Animal-ID allows owners to create an additional record using an existing microchip number.
This can help when:
- The pet travels outside Canada
- The animal was adopted from another country
- A finder uses an international search service
- The Canadian registry is difficult to identify
- The animal has a foreign or manufacturer-coded chip
Important: a global registration is only a safety net.
It does not replace the main Canadian registry or any municipal licence.
Updating Animal-ID does not update the Canadian record.
Keep the same contact details in every active database.
How to check your pet’s microchip registration
This section is for owners who already know their pet’s microchip number.
If you do not know the microchip number, ask a veterinarian, shelter or rescue to scan the animal first.
To check the registration:
- Use ChipTrace to check available databases and identify possible registry information.
- Use the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup.
- Contact the registry named in the result.
- Sign in to the registry’s owner account.
- Compare the number with the microchip certificate and veterinary records.
- Check databases in countries where the pet previously lived.
When checking the record, confirm the registered owner’s name, address, telephone number and email address.
Also check that the animal’s status is correct.
It should not still be marked as missing, found, transferred or dead.
A public search may only confirm which registry holds the record.
It should not show the owner’s private details.
If no registry appears, contact the veterinarian or organisation that supplied the chip.
How to update a Canadian microchip registration
Update every active registration when important information changes.
Update the records when:
- You move home
- Your telephone number changes
- Your email address changes
- The emergency contact changes
- The animal moves to a new owner
- The animal goes missing
- The animal is found again
- The animal moves abroad
- The animal dies
Most registries allow some changes through an online owner account.
Other changes may require a telephone call or supporting documents.
Updating veterinary records alone is not enough.
Remember to update any municipal pet licence separately.
Finally, update foreign or international registrations separately.
How to transfer a Canadian microchip registration
The transfer process depends on the registry.
The previous owner may need to start or approve it.
The new owner may need to accept the transfer or provide documents.
Useful documents may include:
- An adoption contract
- A purchase agreement
- Written confirmation from the previous owner
- Veterinary records
- The microchip certificate
- Your identification
Some registries complete transfers without a fee.
Others may charge an administration fee.
After the transfer, check your name, address, telephone number and email address.
Update any municipal licence separately.
What if the pet is still registered to someone else?
Contact the previous owner, shelter, rescue or breeder first.
Ask them to start or approve the transfer.
If they cannot help, contact the registry directly.
Explain how the animal came into your care.
Then, provide any documents the registry requests.
A registry record shows who is listed as the animal’s contact. However, it may not settle a legal disagreement about ownership.
Buying or adopting a pet in Canada
Ask for the complete microchip number before taking the animal home.
When possible, ask a veterinarian, shelter or rescue to check the microchip.
Make sure the number matches every document.
Buying or adopting a dog or cat
Also ask for:
- The name of the microchip registry
- The registration or account information
- Vaccination and veterinary records
- An adoption contract or purchase agreement
- A municipal licence, when required
- Foreign registration documents, when relevant
The previous owner, breeder, shelter or rescue should help transfer the registry record.
What about a pet adopted from a foreign rescue?
Ask the rescue which registrations already exist.
Also ask:
- Whether the animal has been checked for a microchip
- Who is named in the foreign registration
- Which database holds the microchip record
- Who will update the existing registration
- Who will create or confirm the Canadian registration
- Whether the rabies and import documents are complete
A pet adopted into Canada may need active records in both countries.
Keep the foreign registration active until the Canadian record has been confirmed.
What should you do if your pet goes missing?
Act quickly.
First, report the animal as missing to every active microchip registry.
Then, check that your telephone number and email address are correct.
Local alerts and contacts
You should:
- Contact local veterinarians.
- Contact animal shelters and rescue groups.
- Contact municipal animal services.
- Check local lost-and-found pet listings.
- Contact the police when theft may be involved.
- Share a clear photograph and the area where the animal disappeared.
Do not publish the complete microchip number online.
Share only part of the number publicly. Keep the full number for veterinarians, shelters, rescues, municipal services, registries and trusted organisations helping with the search.
After the animal returns, close every missing-pet report.
Bringing an imported pet to Canada
A foreign registration does not automatically create a Canadian record.
After arrival, ask a Canadian veterinarian to check the microchip and documents.
Take:
- The animal
- Its veterinary passport or official health certificate
- Its rabies vaccination record
- The microchip certificate, when available
- Your Canadian address and contact details
- Any foreign registration documents
- An adoption or transfer document, when relevant
A readable foreign or manufacturer-coded chip normally does not need replacement.
You can add the existing number to a Canadian registry that accepts outside chips.
Keep the foreign registration active until the Canadian record has been confirmed.
Entry documents for Canada
Canada’s import requirements depend on the species, age, country of origin and reason for travel.
Dogs, cats and other animals may need different documents.
Rabies vaccination rules can also depend on the animal and the country it comes from.
Check the latest Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidance before travelling.
Travelling with a pet to or from Canada
Microchip registration and border rules are separate.
The destination country decides which documents are required.
A pet may need:
- A readable microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination
- A veterinary health certificate
- A rabies antibody blood test
- Parasite treatment
- An import permit
Some steps must be completed in a strict order.
For example, many countries require the microchip before the rabies vaccination used for travel.
An export certificate may need to be completed by a licensed veterinarian.
It may then need official endorsement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Start preparing early.
Check the destination-country rules before every journey.
Read the latest CFIA guidance on pet export certificates.
Travelling from Canada to the European Union
Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Canada to the EU normally need:
- A readable ISO-compatible microchip
- A rabies vaccination given after identification
- The correct EU animal health certificate and written declaration
- CFIA endorsement of the certificate
- Entry through an approved travellers’ point
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs entering certain countries
Canada is normally treated as a listed country for EU pet travel.
Therefore, a rabies antibody blood test is not normally required for a standard direct non-commercial journey from Canada.
The health certificate must be completed and endorsed before departure.
Check the latest CFIA guidance for travel to the European Union.
Travelling from Canada to the United States
Dogs entering the United States must meet the current CDC rules.
A dog must normally:
- Be at least six months old
- Have a readable microchip
- Appear healthy when it arrives
- Travel with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt
Extra requirements apply when the dog has been in a high-risk dog-rabies country during the previous six months.
Canada itself is treated as a dog-rabies-free or low-risk country.
However, the dog’s full travel history still matters.
Check current Canadian and United States government guidance before travelling.
Useful Canadian microchip links
AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup
Identify a participating registry connected to a microchip
24Petwatch
Register or manage a Canadian and North American microchip record
EIDAP
Open the Canadian animal-identification registry
EIDAP microchip lookup
Search an EIDAP microchip number
BC Pet Registry
Register a microchip, tattoo or other permanent ID
CANADACHIP
Read Canadian Kennel Club microchip recovery information
Canadian Food Inspection Agency – travelling with pets
Check current Canadian pet import and travel guidance
CFIA pet export certificates
Check Canadian export certificate guidance
CFIA – travel from Canada to the European Union
Check current EU travel guidance for dogs, cats and ferrets
CFIA – dogs travelling to the United States
Check Canadian guidance for dogs travelling to the United States
CDC Dog Import Form
Read current CDC Dog Import Form instructions
Animal-ID
Create an additional global microchip registration