Getting your pet microchipped is an important step, but the chip itself only works if it is registered. A microchip without an active registration is invisible to the shelters, veterinarians, and animal control officers who scan lost pets every day.

This guide walks through the entire registration process, from finding your pet's chip number to handling the most common problems pet owners run into along the way.

Why Registration Is the Step That Actually Matters

A microchip stores a unique identification number and nothing else. When someone scans your pet, that number appears on their reader. They then search it in the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool to find which registry holds the record and how to contact you.

If the chip number is not in any registry, or if the contact information is outdated, the search goes nowhere. Registration is what connects the chip to you, and it is the part most commonly skipped or left incomplete.

Step 1: Find Your Pet's Microchip Number

Before you can register or check a chip, you need the microchip number.

Check your paperwork: If your pet was microchipped at a veterinary clinic or adopted from a shelter or breeder, the chip number is typically printed on your discharge paperwork, vaccination records, or adoption certificate.

Call your veterinarian or the shelter: If you cannot locate the paperwork, your vet or adoption shelter should have the number on file.

Have your pet scanned: Any veterinarian or animal shelter can scan your pet and read the chip number on the spot. This takes less than a minute and is typically free.

Once you have the number, keep it somewhere accessible.

Step 2: Check Whether the Chip Is Already Registered

Before registering, check whether a record already exists. This is especially important for adopted pets and any pet whose microchip history you are not certain about.

The AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool searches across all major U.S. registries simultaneously. You can check if your pet's microchip is registered by entering the chip number and reviewing the results. There are three possible outcomes.

The chip is registered, and the contact information is yours: Confirm the details are current and no further action is needed.

The chip is registered under a previous owner, breeder, or shelter: See Step 4 below.

The chip is not found in any registry: The chip has never been registered or is not in an AAHA-participating system. Continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Register the Chip If It Is Not Currently Active

Any chip can be registered with any AAHA-participating registry, regardless of the brand of chip or where it was implanted. You are not locked into a specific registry based on where your pet was chipped.

To register, you will typically need your pet's microchip number, your current contact information, and your pet's basic information.

When choosing a registry, confirm it participates in the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. This is what makes your registration searchable by shelters and veterinarians nationwide. Registries that do not participate reduce the chances that your pet can be identified if found.

Look for a registry that makes it easy to update your contact information at any time for free. Platforms like Pawbase allow owners to update details instantly through a mobile app, add special instructions for anyone who finds their pet, and report a pet missing directly from their phone.

You can register your pet's microchip with Pawbase to complete this step. Registration covers any microchip brand.

Step 4: If the Chip Is Still Registered Under a Previous Owner, Shelter, or Breeder

This is one of the most common situations for adopted pets. The chip exists in a registry but is not linked to you. Work through the following steps in order.

Contact the shelter, breeder, or place of adoption first. In many cases, the shelter, breeder, or rescue organization that microchipped your pet can initiate the transfer directly. This is often the fastest path. Reach out with your adoption paperwork and ask them to update or transfer the registration to your name and contact details.

If they cannot resolve it, contact the registry. The AAHA lookup results will show which registry holds the existing record. Most registries have a transfer or change of ownership process. You will typically need to provide proof of ownership, such as adoption paperwork, a bill of sale from a breeder, a signed letter from the previous owner, or a letter from your veterinarian confirming you are the current owner.

If you cannot reach anyone to complete the transfer, you have the option to register the chip number with a new AAHA-participating registry. Most registries accept a chip number regardless of whether a prior record exists elsewhere. An active registration with accurate information will take precedence when a pet is found. Pawbase accepts any chip number and allows you to complete registration quickly.

Confirm the update. Once the transfer or new registration is complete, run the chip number through the AAHA lookup tool again to confirm your contact information is now correctly reflected.

Step 5: Keep Your Contact Information Current

The most common reason microchipped pets are not reunited with their owners is not a missing chip. It is outdated contact information. Review and update your registration after any phone number, email, or address change. It is also important to make sure your pet’s information is updated annually with a recent picture.

Step 6: Review Your Registration Regularly

An annual check of your pet's registration takes less than two minutes. Run the chip number through the AAHA lookup tool, confirm your contact details are current, and check each chip number if you have multiple pets. Building this into your pet's annual veterinary visit is the simplest way to make sure it does not get overlooked.

Common Questions

Can I register my pet's chip with more than one registry? Yes. There is no rule against registering a chip number across multiple AAHA-participating registries. If you do, keep all records consistent and current.

What if I do not know which brand of microchip my pet has? The brand does not affect registration. All standard microchips are accepted by AAHA-participating registries. Your veterinarian can identify the chip number when scanning.

Is microchip registration the same as a GPS tracker? No. A microchip is a passive device with no battery and no location tracking. GPS trackers are separate collar-mounted devices with their own subscriptions. The two serve different purposes.

Final Thoughts

Registration takes a few minutes and ensures your pet always has a permanent link to your contact information. These steps are what make a microchip useful when it matters most.

If you are not sure whether your pet's chip is currently registered, start with the AAHA lookup tool. Learn more about how Pawbase helps protect your pet for life.