How often do you check your dog’s microchip data? Did I just hear a gasp? Maybe you just adopted a dog and you’re wondering how on earth to transfer the microchip information to you.
According to the American Humane Society, a chipped pet is three times more likely to find their way home than a non-chipped animal. Shocked? Overwhelmed with the whole idea of chipping?
I’ve gone down the chipping road learning all about microchipping companies, prices, the actual chip, and transferring chip ownership. Don’t get overwhelmed like I did at first! I’ve simplified the process in this article. Today, let’s dig and discover everything you need to know about dog microchipping, including how it helps your bank account.
*Update: August 13, 2024
Budget tip:
The simple act of microchipping your dog ties him or her to you. It’s your one of your backup systems in case you’re separated. Registering your dog’s chip can be free and there are often free microchip clinics. As long as the information you provide to the database is updated, it can mean the difference between reuniting, regretting or mourning your fur kid. There’s no downside! It’s a major win-win-win for you, your furry best friend, and your wallet!
What are the benefits of microchipping your dog?
The idea behind microchipping a dog or pet is that if your pet should become separated from you, he or she can be reunited more easily with you. Many times dogs and cats will run from loud noises like fireworks, fire, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, or even chasing prey. Even collars can become lost or broken during the escape. The problem then becomes how to get an unmarked, lost pet, or dog home.
One option is if someone finds your dog or pet, takes them to a shelter or vet’s office, and scans your furry friend for a microchip. Assuming your dog or pet is chipped and the information is up-to-date, then there can be a happy reunion.
NOTE: May is Chip Your Pet Month and August 15 is Check Your Chip Day. Great reminders!
Basically, think of a pet or dog microchip as a backup plan. It’s another proactive measure.
How do I know if my rescue dog has a microchip?
The shelter or organization where you adopt your dog should provide that information, including the chip number. However, don’t always take what you’re told as gold. When you take your dog in for his or her first vet visit within the next day or two, make sure your vet scans your dog.
NOTE: I was told my dog, Henry was not microchipped when I adopted him. However, the next day I took him in for his first vet appointment. I was happy to discover that Henry was chipped! The veterinary clinic provided me with his chip number. This is the vital piece of information for transferring chip information. I’ll go into this part below.
Does microchipping hurt my dog?
No, the insertion of the chip is generally no more painful than a vaccine or a blood test.
Are there any side effects to microchipping my dog?
Sometimes the chip isn’t detected, like with Henry. Other times the chip may migrate to a different location. But a trained practitioner will most likely still be able to find it.
Additionally, I need to inform you that chips do use a low frequency of microwaves. However, there’s no strong evidence that this minimal frequency causes negative effects in dogs or cats. Although, there are studies that this low frequency has produced tumors in lab rats and mice during a cancer study. Other tumors in dogs and cats haven’t shown a strong correlation between the low-frequency microwaves and chips. Thus, it appears to be very safe for your pet. Honestly, I’m not concerned about Henry.
Who can microchip my dog at a low cost?
Of course, you can always take your dog to your vet to have him or her microchipped. That price will vary depending on where you live.
However, if you’re on a tight budget or want to save a bit on your dog’s budget, you can find great board-certified veterinarians to administer a microchip for your dog or cat.
These locations will include:
- Petco (usually $25-60)
- VIP Pet Care ($30 with free lifetime registration into a database)
- Low-cost vet clinics (check with your local shelter or Humane Society for one near you)
For instance, a local county where I live offers free pet microchipping with free registration into the HomeAgain national database. Your county may offer something similar.
Will pet insurance cover dog microchipping?
Most likely yes. It should be fully covered. But there could be a co-pay. You’ll need to check with your pet insurance.
What do I need to know about getting my dog microchipped?
The most important part will be to get the chip number. You will need this number to register your dog, which is the critical part. This is also the number you will need to transfer the chip if you’ve recently adopted your dog or pet.
Are there different types of pet microchips?
Yes. There was an issue with different types of chips being used until recently. Not all chips were created equal. So, one chip could be read by certain a microchip scanner. But not another pet microchip by the same scanner. Insanity, right? However, now, there are universal pet scanners, which allow different microchips to be easily read with one scanner. Thus, the title “universal” scanner.
However, when a chip isn’t detected and a universal scanner is used, generally it is an operator issue. This is what seemed to happen with Henry.
Honestly, if a shelter says your dog doesn’t have a microchip, ask your vet for a second opinion before microchipping.
Do I need to do anything after getting my dog microchipped?
Yes. You will need to register your dog with a database company.
What do I look for in a database registration company?
There are a few key items to look for in a database company. These include:
- AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) marked or endorsed registry – you’ll see an icon or symbol with AAHA displayed on the website
- Ease of updating information
- Inclusion of backup contact info (think if your phone dies or you’re out of range)
- Pet health conditions
- Privacy information is clearly stated
- Easy to use, absolutely a necessity especially when you’re in panic mode
- Inclusion of your vet info in case your pet is injured
- Free! Bells and whistles are nice, but you don’t really need them.
How much does it cost to register my dog’s microchip with a database company?
Many database registration companies offer a free version. They may also offer paid or premium versions. But honestly, they aren’t necessary. All you need is to register your pet or dog’s microchip number and information (listed above) in the national registry in case you are separated. That option should be free.
The upgraded options may include pet insurance, search alerts, online vet help, a collar tag, and discounts. While these might be nice options they aren’t needed. Especially if your budget is tight.
What database companies participate in the AAHA registry with free options?
Here’s a short list of companies using AAHA with free options or versions:
Are microchips required by law?
This actually depends on where you live. Some areas are requiring pets to be microchipped. For example, Houston recently enacted a law requiring all cats and dogs to be microchipped or their pet parents could be fined between $100-500. YIKES!!! If you have more than one dog or cat, that could add up quickly.
Thus, definitely check with your local shelter to make sure what’s required in your area. You should be able to do this online.
How do I avoid registration scams?
There are a few tricks to avoid a free registration scam:
1. Make sure the company has a physical address
2. Look for a phone number to call
3. Search the Better Business Bureau for any complaints
4. Review their privacy policy. Do they have one? Keep looking.
5. Do they have an AAHA icon or certificate? Even those companies in Canada often have AAHA icons.
6. Not sure? Ask your vet if the company is legit.
How do I transfer my rescue dog’s information to me?
I admit this seemed overwhelming with Henry. Let me put it simply – this is easy. It just seems scary.
The key part is to have the microchip number. Additionally, if you can identify the company that your dog was registered, all the better. But if not it will be fine. Simply go to:
You will want to look on both sites for your dog’s microchip number. If the number doesn’t come up, then it has been abandoned or is no longer active. If the chip is registered, the company will need to contact the listed owner to make sure that the pet isn’t missing.
Once that’s been accomplished the transfer will be complete and you can register your adopted dog with any registry you select.
I told you, that was easy, wasn’t it? The anxiety of doing it though can be a lot.
What information is required to register my dog’s microchip?
Keep in mind that the information you provide is meant to reunite you with your dog if you should be separated. However, different database companies will ask for different information.
Most, but not all, pet database companies will ask for the following information when registering your pet’s microchip number:
- Your name
- Your dog’s name
- Approximate age of your dog
- Breed
- Coloring
- Veterinary clinic information
- Physical appearance
- Unique markings
- Current photos
- Spay/neutered status
- Special medical needs
- Your contact info (email, phone, etc.)
- 1-4 backup emergency contacts
Not all free database registries will ask for all this information. I always think that the more information you have on your dog or pet when he/she is lost the better.
One free database that allows you to store all this information is FreePetChipRegistry.
Will my privacy be compromised if I chip and register my dog?
There are supposed to be safeguards in place to protect your privacy, while still allowing you to reunite with your dog. I encourage you to read the privacy information before signing up with any database company. Additionally, if the company doesn’t have a privacy page for you to review, then it’s not the company for you.
If my dog is microchipped, does my dog also need a collar with an ID tag?
Yes! One doesn’t replace the other. A microchip is a backup in case your dog slips out of his or her collar and attached ID tag.
Is a microchip a GPS for my dog?
No. Microchips don’t have that capability. GPS systems are attached to your dog. While, microchips are injected like a vaccine.
Is a microchip for my dog foolproof?
Unfortunately, nothing in life is foolproof. There can be operational issues with the scanner. Or the person running the scanner isn’t trained well. I suspect the latter is what happened with Henry’s rescue saying he wasn’t chipped.
Most importantly, if the data supplied to the registry isn’t up-to-date, then a reunion is much more difficult. Or almost impossible.
How often should I look at my dog’s registry information?
I recommend it at least once a year. Mark it down on your calendar and do it on your dog’s birthday. Or check it on National Check The Chip Day, which is August 15th every year. Yep, there’s a day to remind all pet owners to look at their pet’s chip info.
However, if you move, change your phone number, split from your partner, or an emergency contact moves, then jump on that microchip registry and make the necessary changes. This could even be adding an allergy condition. For Henry, I just hopped on to his databases to add his recently discovered severe allergy to Benadryl.
Can I transfer my dog’s microchip information from one company to another?
No. I recently discovered that database companies frown upon this suggestion. In fact, they simply won’t allow it.
However, you can have your dog registered with multiple companies.
What’s the benefit of registering with multiple companies?
Perhaps there’s none. But for me, I like to think that the more places I have Henry placed in case of disaster, the better.
In other words, if your dog goes missing you can call upon more people and resources. It’s kind of the difference between lighting just one candle in the dark and turning on the sun. That’s probably an overstatement, but that’s really my goal with registering Henry with different companies.
For instance, I currently have Henry registered with three database companies. They each provide something a bit different. But they all are AAHA companies. I know you’re curious about which companies I went with for Henry. First, they are all free. Here are my choices for Henry:
- 24PetWatch (the most basic)
- FindPet (lots of photos)
- FreePetChipRegistry (lots of additional dog identifying and health information)
Is there anything else I should know about registering my dog’s microchip?
No. Just make sure you register with an AAHA database company and check it at least yearly.
Can I register other pets besides my dog?
Some databases allow for a multitude of pets to be registered. Others only include dogs and cats. You’ll be able to easily see what’s provided when you pop on the site you’re considering.
How do I save on my costs when I microchip my dog?
I admit, this is the fun and eye-opening part. When you simply microchip your dog and keep the information up-to-date, you may find savings in your future dog costs. Consider the following:
| Dog microchip Free | FREE – $30 |
| Price of registering a pet microchip | FREE |
| Looking for a lost dog (fliers, gas, calls, reward) | $100-1000 |
| Retrieving shelter/pound impounded dog | $50+ |
| Legal bills if escaped dog damages property | $100-10,000+ |
| Vet bill if your dog is hit or injured while lost | $800+ |
| Losing your dog forever (only 20% of non-chipped are reunited, but 52% chance of reuniting with chipped pet) | IMMEASURABLE |
| Your dog being euthanized (high-risk breeds are more likely to be euthanized in shelters) | IMMEASURABLE |
| Anxiety incurred while your dog is lost | IMMEASURABLE |
Related articles:
- Can Benadryl For Dogs Cost Too Much?
- Emergency Dog Fund: How Much Money Should You Save?
- What Are the Best Tricks to Getting a Dog With a Partner?
- 15 Red Flags-Time For a New Vet!
- Can I Dog Proof My Home and Save Money?
- How A Dog License Saves Dogs And Benefits You
- Does A Dog Micro Makeover Save Money?
- How To Find Vet Approved Low Cost Dog Vaccines
- Creative Ways To Cut Dog Expenses. Easy!
- How To Adopt A Foster Dog
- Steps To Build A New Dog Budget
- How to Find the Best Vet
Skip the dip and go for dog microchipping!
I know microchipping can be confusing at first. Actually, I had anxiety about transferring Henry’s microchip information. But really it’s easy. The bottom line is to make sure your dog is chipped, registered in an AAHA database, and the information is up-to-date.
It can be easy to overlook the updating part, but when you associate it with your dog’s birthday, it’s an easy task.
Additionally, the cost savings you can realize from chipping your dog is truly imaginable. I will never put my dog, Henry in the position of being lost without multiple backup systems to be reunited. That means a dog collar, ID tag, and updated microchip. I cover as many bases as possible just in case. You just never know when a bunny will cross a pup’s path and he’ll need to go down that hole.
Layla is microchipped and my vet checks it every time we see her so it is ok, I also have an emergency contact name and number on her microchip plus her tag is one that can be scanned by a phone and has all her details plus her microchip number so I am very relaxed when it comes to this issue
Somehow I knew you had Ms. Layla well taken care of and I’m very happy to hear it. Thank you so much for sharing. And thank you for your continued support.
There are so many good reasons to microchip your dog! You have done a great job covering them all. Well done. I can’t imagine not having my pet’s chipped, I would worry if they went missing, or got scared by a car!
I am glad you can register a chip with lots of companies it would worry me if the scanner was for one company and the chip for a different one.
Thank you! And yes, there are so many great reasons to chip your pet that I can’t imagine not doing it. Technology is amazing, isn’t it? Actually, I didn’t even though you could register your pet’s microchip with different companies. But you can and like I said, if there’s a chance it will help, I’m all in on it. And thank you for your continued support. I greatly appreciate it!
Microchips sure are important. Just look at all the stories you see about a lost pet being returned home because it was chipped. Us kitties have our chips in place too. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
YEAH!!! Kitties should be chipped as well. I love hearing that, Brian! And you are right the stories are scary and prove that microchipping our pets are important. Thank you for allowing me to join your Blog Hop and for your kind words here. I really appreciate it1