Choosing a pet microchip registry in 2026 can feel unnecessarily complicated, so we’ve broken down the offerings from the most widely used U.S. registries to help you choose the right level of protection for your pet.

Most registries offer lifetime microchip registration for a one-time fee, with optional subscriptions or add-ons for additional recovery tools and services. Others claim to offer free registration, which often comes with tradeoffs.

This guide compares major U.S. pet microchip registry options including Pawbase, HomeAgain, AKC Reunite, 24PetWatch (by PetPlace), and PetLink, so you can clearly understand what each one costs, what’s included, and what actually matters if your pet is ever lost.

How Pet Microchips Really Work

A pet microchip is a small RFID device, about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under your pet’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. The procedure is quick and similar to a routine vaccination.

Each microchip contains a unique identification number, typically 9-, 10-, or 15-digit identification numbers. When a veterinarian, shelter, or animal control officer scans the chip, the identification number appears on their reader.

What the chip does not do:

• It does not store your personal information

• It does not track your pet’s location

• It does not reunite your pet on its own

The microchip only works if the microchip number is registered in a database that contains accurate and up-to-date contact information.

How Microchips Are Looked Up in the U.S.

In the United States, professionals use the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool.

When a chip is scanned, the ID number is entered into the AAHA tool, which identifies which registry holds the pet’s record and how to contact the owner.

All reputable registries participate in the AAHA system. Registries that do not participate risk delaying reunification. This makes AAHA participation non-negotiable when choosing a registry.

How Registries Handle Contact When a Pet Is Found

When a pet’s microchip is scanned and looked up, registries differ in how contact between the finder and the owner actually happens.

Some registries allow the finder to reach the owner directly, using owner-approved contact information displayed on a pet profile. Others require the finder to contact the registry first, which then attempts to reach the owner on their behalf.

Both approaches are valid, but they create different levels of speed, friction, and transparency during reunification.

In time-sensitive situations, the number of steps between finding a pet and reaching its owner can affect how quickly that pet gets home.

Pet Microchip Registry Comparison (2026)

Below is a clear breakdown of the most widely used registries in the U.S., how much they cost, and what you get.

Pawbase

Offerings & Price
Lifetime microchip registration: $24.99 one-time fee
Optional Premium upgrade: $14.99 per year (per account, covers all registered pets)

What’s included
Lifetime registration ($24.99 one-time fee)

• Lifetime registration for any microchip brand

• Add or update owner and pet information through the Pawbase mobile app

• Ability to report a pet missing, including last known location

• Searchable 24/7 through Pawbase and the AAHA Microchip Lookup Tool

• Health record storage, vaccine tracking, and care reminders

• Direct, privacy-controlled contact: when a microchip is searched, pet professionals can contact the owner based on the information the owner chooses to share

• Backup 24/7 Pawbase support if the owner cannot be reached

Pawbase Premium ($14.99 per year – optional) 

• Instant alerts sent to the owner’s phone when a pet’s microchip is searched, including time and location

• Automatically generated lost-pet poster, downloadable and shareable directly from the app

• One annual fee covers all pets registered under the same account

Overview / Key Considerations
Pawbase offers lifetime microchip registration for a one-time fee and optional premium features. The platform emphasizes mobile access, privacy-controlled contact, and reduced friction during reunification, with optional real-time alerts for owners who want immediate notification when their pet’s microchip is searched.

HomeAgain

Offerings & Price
Microchip registration: $19.99 one-time fee
Optional premium membership: $26.99 per year

What’s included
Lifetime registration ($19.99 one-time fee)

• Lifetime enrollment in the HomeAgain National Pet Recovery Database

• Lifetime updates to owner contact information and pet details

• Participation in the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool

• Notification from HomeAgain if a pet is found

Premium membership ($24.99 per year – optional)

• Rapid Lost Pet Alerts sent to HomeAgain’s Pet Recovery Network

• Personalized lost-pet poster for print or online sharing

• Travel assistance if a pet is found 500+ miles from home

• Access to a 24/7 medical hotline

Overview / Key Considerations
HomeAgain provides lifetime microchip registration with optional annual upgrades that add recovery and support services. While basic registration includes database enrollment and contact updates, features such as lost-pet alerts, posters, travel assistance, and medical hotline access require an active Premium Membership.

HomeAgain primarily manages reunification through its own recovery network and support channels, rather than enabling direct, privacy-controlled contact between the finder and the pet owner through a public pet profile.

AKC Reunite

Offerings & Price
Microchip registration: $22.95 one-time fee 

What’s included
Lifetime registration ($22.95 one-time fee)

• Lifetime microchip registration

• Free updates to owner contact information

• Participation in the AAHA Microchip Lookup Tool

Optional one-time add-ons

• Pet Poison Helpline access: $20 one-time fee

• Lost pet broadcast alert: $15 one-time fee to send an outgoing alert to AKC Reunite’s network

Overview / Key Considerations
AKC Reunite offers a traditional lifetime microchip registry with optional, pay-as-needed add-on services. Registration includes database enrollment and contact updates without recurring fees.

An important distinction is that AKC Reunite’s broadcast alerts notify others to look for a missing pet; they are not alerts triggered when a pet’s microchip is searched. Reunification is typically managed through AKC Reunite’s recovery services rather than direct, finder-to-owner contact through a public pet profile.

24PetWatch (by PetPlace)

Offerings & Price
Annual Protection Plan: $59.95 for the first year, then $19.95 per year
Lifetime Protection Membership: $119.95 one-time fee
Lifetime Plus Protection Membership: $199.95 one-time fee

What’s included
Annual Protection Plan ($59.95 for the first year, then $19.95 per year)

• Microchip registration is included while the plan is active

• Access to the MyPetHealth Portal to update contact information and report a pet lost or found

• Access to Lost Pet Recovery Specialists

• DirectConnect service to facilitate reunification through 24PetWatch

• Participation in the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool

Lifetime Protection Membership ($119.95 one-time)

• Includes all Annual Plan features

• Lifetime Lost Pet Recovery Services

• One year of 24PetMedAlert (medical and behavioral information relayed to professionals if a pet is missing)

• One year of 24/7 Vet Helpline access

• Promotional partner benefits, including a $30 Rover discount and $25 Petco coupon

Lifetime Plus Protection Membership ($199.95 one-time)

• Includes all Lifetime Protection features

• Lifetime warranty ID tag

• Access to Petcademy, an online pet training platform with guided lessons

Overview / Key Considerations
24PetWatch bundles microchip registration with paid protection memberships rather than offering registry-only enrollment. Reunification is facilitated through recovery specialists and DirectConnect rather than a public pet profile with direct owner contact. The service is transitioning under the PetPlace brand, with existing registrations and memberships transferring automatically.

PetLink

Offerings & Price
Microchip registration: $29.95 one-time fee

What’s included

• Lifetime enrollment in the PetLink national microchip database

• Free updates to owner contact information and pet details

• Ability to report a pet lost or found

• Participation in the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool

Overview / Key Considerations
PetLink offers a straightforward lifetime registry with no subscriptions. Reunification is handled through registry and support processes rather than a public, privacy-controlled pet profile.

Free Microchip Registries: Important Considerations

Some pet owners choose a free microchip registry, and for basic enrollment, this can be sufficient. However, free registries vary significantly in how they operate.

Before choosing a free option, consider:

• How are operations funded?
  Free services still have operating costs. Funding may come from advertising, partnerships, or data usage.

• What does the privacy policy say?
  Review whether owner or pet data can be shared or sold, and whether opt-outs are available.

• Is there human support if something goes wrong?
  Look for a real support channel, not just automated emails.

• Do they participate in the AAHA Lookup Tool?
  This is essential for nationwide discoverability.

Free registries can work, but pet owners should understand the tradeoffs and confirm that the registry is stable, searchable, and privacy-conscious.

What Actually Matters When Choosing a Registry

Across all registries, the most important factors are:

1. AAHA participation — so shelters and vets can find the record

2. Lifetime registration without forced renewals

3. Easy contact updates with no forced charges

4. Visibility and speed when a pet is found

Extras like hotlines or travel assistance can be helpful, but accurate, accessible contact data is what brings pets home.

Final Thoughts for Pet Parents in 2026

There is no single “right” microchip registry for every pet owner.

Some pet parents prioritize simplicity and one-time fees. Others value mobile access, real-time alerts, or tools that help keep health records and contact information organized in one place. Some prefer a no-cost option.

What matters most is choosing a registry you will keep accurate, accessible, and up to date. A microchip can only help reunite a pet if the information behind it is current — and if it can be reached quickly when a pet is found.

As registries continue to evolve, many pet owners are placing more importance on ease of updates, reduced friction during reunification, and clear visibility when a pet’s microchip is searched. Understanding how each registry handles contact, updates, and alerts can make a meaningful difference in real-world outcomes.

Your pet’s microchip is permanent. Choosing how that information is managed shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Do you have questions about these registries or about microchipping your pet in general? Reach out to us here.