A pet microchip is a tiny electronic identification device placed under an animal’s skin. It carries a unique number that can be read with a special scanner.
The chip does not contain your name, telephone number or address. It also cannot track your pet’s location.
Instead, the microchip number is linked to information stored in a separate registry. If your pet is lost and later scanned, that number can help a vet, shelter or rescue organisation find the correct registry and contact you.
What does a pet microchip look like?
A pet microchip is a small capsule, usually about the size of a grain of rice.
The electronic parts are protected inside a glass capsule designed to remain safely under your pet’s skin.
The chip has no battery and never needs charging. It stays inactive until a compatible scanner is held close to it.
Does implanting a microchip hurt?
A veterinarian or another trained professional normally implants the microchip.
The procedure feels similar to a routine vaccination. The needle is slightly thicker than a standard vaccination needle, but the insertion takes only a few seconds. Most pets feel only brief discomfort.
How is a pet microchip scanned?
Pet microchips use radio-frequency identification technology, usually called RFID.
When a scanner is passed over your pet, it sends out a low-power radio signal. This activates the microchip for a moment. The chip then sends its identification number back to the scanner.
The number appears on the scanner’s screen.
The process is simple:
- The microchip is implanted under the animal’s skin.
- A vet, shelter or other authorised person scans the animal.
- The scanner displays the microchip number.
- The number is searched to find a connected registry.
- The registry uses its records to help contact the owner.
The scanner does not normally show the owner’s personal information. It only reads the number stored on the chip.
What information does a microchip contain?
In most cases, the physical microchip contains only its unique identification number.
The information about the animal and the owner is stored separately in a microchip registry. Depending on the registry, this may include:
- The owner’s name
- Telephone numbers
- An email address
- A home address
- An emergency contact
- The pet’s name and description
- Details of the vet, shelter or organisation that registered the chip
Access to this information is normally restricted.
Some registries may provide a contact telephone number. Others require the finder, vet or shelter to contact the registry first. The registry may then contact the owner directly or explain what to do next.
A public microchip search may confirm that a registration exists, but it should not display private owner details.
Lookup services such as ChipTrace usually help identify possible registries. They do not normally hold the owner’s personal information themselves.
Is a microchip a GPS tracker?
No. A standard pet microchip cannot track your pet.
It cannot:
- Show your pet’s current location
- Follow your pet’s movements
- Connect to a mobile phone
- Send an alert when your pet leaves home
- Record where your pet has been
A microchip has no battery and no active internet connection. It can only be read when a suitable scanner is held close to the animal.
GPS collars and other trackers work differently. They may help you locate a missing pet, but they can lose power, fall off or be removed.
A microchip stays under the skin and provides permanent identification. A microchip, a visible identification tag and a tracker can therefore work well together.
What happens after a microchip is scanned?
Finding the microchip number is only the first step.
The number must then be traced to the registry, manufacturer or organisation connected with it. A vet, shelter or finder may use a national registry, an international lookup service or a tool such as ChipTrace.
If a registration is found, the registry can check its records and begin contacting the registered owner.
The exact process depends on the country and the registry. Some registries contact the owner themselves. Others give instructions to a vet, shelter, rescue organisation or authorised official.
Even when no registration is found, the chip number may still provide useful clues. It may help identify the manufacturer, the organisation that supplied the chip or the country in which it may have been issued.
Implanting and registering a microchip are not the same
A pet can have a working microchip without having a useful registration.
There are two separate steps:
- Implantation means placing the physical microchip under the animal’s skin.
- Registration means linking the chip number to the animal and the owner’s contact details in a database.
A scanner may read the chip perfectly, but the number will not lead back to the owner if it was never registered.
This is why owners should always check that the registration has been completed.
Keep your contact details up to date
A microchip is only useful when the information linked to it is correct.
An old telephone number, email address or home address can delay a reunion or make it impossible for the finder to reach you.
Check your microchip registry to confirm that:
- The chip has been registered
- Your telephone number is correct
- Your email address is current
- Your home address is up to date
- The correct owner is listed
You should check the registration whenever you:
- Move home
- Change your telephone number
- Change your email address
- Adopt or rehome a pet
- Move to another country
- Prepare your pet for international travel
When you do not know which registry holds your pet’s record, search the number with ChipTrace or contact your vet, shelter or breeder.
How long does a microchip work?
A pet microchip is designed to provide long-term identification.
It has no battery to replace and does not need charging. In most cases, it remains with the animal for life.
It is still a good idea to ask your vet to scan the chip occasionally.
Should I microchip my pet?
Yes. A microchip gives a lost or stolen pet a much better chance of being identified and returned home.
Collars and identification tags are useful, but they can fall off or be removed. A microchip stays with the animal and provides a permanent identification number.
However, microchipping does not guarantee that a lost pet will be returned.
For the system to work:
- The animal must be scanned.
- The chip must be readable.
- The number must lead to the correct registry.
- The registry must hold accurate contact details.
- The owner must be reachable.
A microchip works best when it is registered correctly and the details are checked regularly.
Check a microchip with ChipTrace
Have you found a microchip number?
Enter the 15-digit number in ChipTrace to search more than 100 registries and lookup services.
When ChipTrace cannot find a registration, it may still provide useful information about the chip’s likely manufacturer, country or next possible contact.