Yes, you can. Your pet's microchip brand does not lock you into the company that made it, and you are free to register that microchip number with whichever registry you prefer. Your pet can also be registered with more than one registry at the same time, which is a valid choice as long as you keep every record current.

This comes up a lot with pets adopted from a shelter, bought from a breeder, or microchipped at a vet clinic that enrolled the microchip somewhere on your behalf. If you would rather use a different service, or you are not sure who holds your pet's record at all, here is how it works.

Why you have this choice

A microchip is a small RFID tag implanted under your pet's skin, and the only thing it holds is an identification number. Most microchip numbers are 9, 10, or 15 digits, with 15 being the current international standard. The microchip carries no contact information and no location tracking, so on its own that number means nothing to the person who finds your pet. Learn more about how pet microchips work.

The number becomes useful once it is tied to your contact details in a registry. Manufacturers usually run their own registry, which is why people assume, for example, that a HomeAgain microchip has to be registered to HomeAgain. It does not. The number belongs to your pet, not to a company, and any reputable registry can hold a record for it.

What makes this possible is the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. When a shelter or vet scans a found pet, they search that number through the AAHA tool, which checks participating registries and reports back which ones have a record on file. Nobody needs to guess the microchip brand or call around. That is also why your registry choice matters more than your microchip brand, and why registering with a registry outside the AAHA network is a real risk. We cover the tool in more detail in our guide to the AAHA lookup tool.

How to switch or add a registration

Start by finding your pet's microchip number. It is usually on your adoption paperwork, your vet records, or the paperwork from your breeder. If you cannot find it, any vet or shelter can scan your pet and read it to you in a few seconds.

Run that number through the AAHA lookup tool before you do anything else. It will tell you which registries currently hold a record, which is useful even if you already know where you registered, because pets often come with an enrollment you were never told about. A shelter or breeder may have registered the microchip in their own name before you took your pet home.

From there, registering with a new company is straightforward. You create an account, enter the microchip number and your pet's details, and add your contact information. Our step-by-step registration guide walks through it. If your search showed the microchip registered to a previous owner, a shelter, or a breeder, contact that registry to transfer the record into your name so the old contact information does not stay in circulation. If you adopted recently, our guide on what to do about your pet's microchip after adoption covers that situation specifically.

Do you have to cancel the old registration?

You do not have to, and there are good reasons to keep both. More records pointing to you means more chances a finder reaches you.

The important part is that every record stays accurate. When a microchip number turns up in multiple registries, the AAHA tool lists all of them, and the person searching decides who to contact. It also shows when each record was last updated, so a vet or shelter tech will usually start with the most recently maintained one. That is why it is important to make sure any registry your pet's microchip is registered with is updated with your correct contact information.

So the choice is simple. Keep the old registration if you are willing to maintain it, updating your contact information whenever it changes. Cancel it if you would rather not manage two accounts and keep your contact information updated across both. What you want to avoid is leaving an outdated record sitting in a registry you have forgotten about.

Choosing where to register

Registries differ more than people expect. Some charge one lifetime fee, some bill annually, and some bundle registration into larger plans. Some charge you to update your own contact information, which is worth checking before you commit to registering your pet.

Two things are worth confirming for any registry you consider. It should participate in the AAHA lookup tool, and it should let you update your contact details for free, forever. Our comparison of the best pet microchip registries in 2026 breaks down what each one charges and includes.

Pawbase works with any microchip brand and any microchip number, whether that microchip came from a shelter, a breeder, or your vet. Registration is $24.99 one time for the life of your pet, contact updates are always free, and your record is searchable through the AAHA tool.

In summary

Your pet's microchip number can be registered with any registry you choose, and it can be registered with more than one at the same time. Look up your microchip number first so you know what is out there, register with a company that participates in the AAHA network and lets you make updates for free, and make sure every record with your pet's number on it points somewhere you can actually be reached.

→ Register your pet's microchip with Pawbase

Still have questions? Email our team at support@pawbasepet.com