How to Register a Pet Microchip
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A microchip only works if it's registered — the chip itself just stores a number, and that number is useless unless it's linked to your current contact details in a registry database. To register, find your chip number, pick the registry tied to your chip brand (or a universal one), create an account, and enter your pet's and your own details. It's usually a one-time step, sometimes with a small fee.
Why an unregistered chip fails
A microchip is a tiny passive RFID tag — it holds a unique ID number and nothing else. When a shelter or vet scans a lost pet, they get that number, then look it up in a registry to find the owner's phone number. If the number was never registered, the lookup comes back empty and there's no way to reach you.
This is the most common microchip failure: the pet is chipped, but the chip was never registered, or the details were never updated. A chip in your pet is only half the job — registration is what actually reunites you.
Step 1: Find your microchip number
You'll need the chip's ID number to register it. Find it on your adoption or purchase paperwork, your vet's records, or the implant paperwork from when the chip was placed. If you can't find it, any vet or shelter can scan your pet in a few seconds to read it.
The number is typically 9, 10, or 15 digits. Write it down exactly — a single wrong digit breaks the link.
Step 2: Find the right registry
Each chip brand has an associated registry, and there are also universal registries that accept any brand. To find where your chip is (or should be) registered, use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup (petmicrochiplookup.org). Enter your chip number and it tells you which registry the chip is enrolled with, or which registries can accept it.
Major registries in the U.S. include AKC Reunite, HomeAgain, PetLink, and 24PetWatch, among others. You don't necessarily have to use the brand's own registry — a universal registry works too — but avoid registering in several conflicting places.
Step 3: Create an account and enter your details
- Go to the registry's website and create an owner account.
- Enter the microchip number exactly.
- Add your pet's details — name, species, breed, description.
- Add your contact information — phone, email, address. This is the part that actually matters for reunion.
- Add an emergency/second contact if the registry allows, so there's a backup if you can't be reached.
- Confirm and save.
Some registries are free; others charge a small one-time or annual fee. Keep your login so you can update details later.
Keep it current — that's the real work
Registration isn't set-and-forget. The moment you move or change your phone number, update the registry, or the chip stops working for you. A correct chip with an old phone number is as useless as an unregistered one.
Tavi tip: Store your pet's microchip number and registry login reminder in Tavi so it's always at hand — no digging through old paperwork when a shelter asks. You can also snap a photo of the chip certificate so the whole record lives in one place with the rest of your pet's health file.
Frequently asked questions
Is a microchip automatically registered when it's implanted?
Not always — don't assume it is. Some vets or shelters register it for you, but many leave that to the owner, and details can be incomplete. Always confirm your chip is registered with your current contact information using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup, and register it yourself if it isn't.
How much does it cost to register a microchip?
It varies by registry — some offer free basic registration, while others charge a one-time fee (often around $20) or a small annual membership. The lookup and updating of details is frequently free or included. Registering is inexpensive and one of the most important things you can do for a chipped pet.
Which microchip registry should I use?
You can use the registry associated with your chip's brand (such as AKC Reunite, HomeAgain, or PetLink) or a universal registry that accepts any brand. Use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup to see where your chip is enrolled, and avoid registering the same chip in several conflicting places.
Can I register a rescue pet's existing microchip to me?
Yes. If you adopt a pet that's already chipped, transfer the registration into your name with your contact details — the previous owner's or shelter's info may still be listed. Use the AAHA lookup to find the registry, then update the ownership and contact information so a scan reaches you.
Tavi's guides are informational and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. When in doubt, call your veterinarian. Sources: American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Universal Pet Microchip Lookup; AKC Reunite; American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); HomeAgain
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