Registration & Basics
How do I register my pet's microchip with Pawbase?
Enter your pet's microchip number, add your contact details, and pay a one-time $24.99 registration fee. Most registrations take less than two minutes, and your pet is immediately searchable through Pawbase and the AAHA Microchip Lookup Tool.
Do I need a Pawbase microchip to register my pet?
No. Pawbase works with any microchip brand. Most microchips are 9, 10, or 15 digits. Just enter your pet's microchip number to get started.
How much does it cost to register a pet microchip?
Pawbase lifetime registration is a one-time fee of $24.99 per pet. There are no annual renewals, no update fees, and no hidden charges. Your pet stays registered and searchable for life.
How does lifetime registration work?
You pay once and your pet's microchip is linked to your contact information forever. You can update your details anytime for free, and your pet stays searchable 24/7 for their entire life.
My pet's chip is already registered with another company. Can I still use Pawbase?
Yes. Pets can be registered with more than one registry, and your Pawbase record will appear alongside existing records in the AAHA Lookup Tool. Registering with Pawbase ensures your contact information is current and gives you a modern way to manage it from your phone.
How do I check if my pet's microchip is already registered?
Search your pet's microchip number in the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. It shows every participating registry that holds a record for that chip, including Pawbase. If no registry appears, register the chip with Pawbase to link it to you.
Pawbase Premium
What is Pawbase Premium?
Premium is an optional one-time add-on for $14.99. It sends you an instant alert with location details when available the moment anyone searches your pet's microchip or scans their Pawbase Collar Tag, and it auto-creates a shareable lost pet poster. One Premium purchase covers every pet in your account for life.
Does Premium cover multiple pets?
Yes. Premium covers every registered pet in your account, including pets you add later. You pay for it once, not per pet.
Is Premium a subscription?
No. Premium is a one-time purchase, just like registration. There is nothing to renew and nothing to cancel.
What are microchip search alerts?
When someone searches your pet's microchip or scans their collar tag, Premium sends you an instant notification with the time and location (when available) of the search. A search almost always means someone has found your pet, so you can act right away.
Microchips
Does a microchip track my pet’s location?
No. A microchip is not a GPS device. It holds a unique ID number that a vet or shelter reads with a scanner. Pawbase connects that number to your contact information so whoever finds your pet can reach you.
Can any vet or shelter scan my pet’s chip?
Yes. Pawbase microchips meet ISO standards and can be read by the universal scanners used at nearly all veterinary clinics and animal shelters, along with most other modern microchip brands.
How do I transfer a pet's microchip to a new owner?
With Pawbase, the current owner sends a transfer to the new owner's email from the app or web portal. The new owner accepts and becomes the primary contact in minutes. Transfers are always free.
How do I find my pet's microchip number?
Check your adoption paperwork, vet records, or vaccination certificate. If you can't find it, any vet or shelter can scan your pet for free and read the number in seconds.
Lost Pets & Recovery
What happens if my pet goes missing?
Mark your pet missing in the Pawbase app or web portal. Their profile is flagged, and anyone who searches their chip or scans their collar tag sees your contact details instantly. You can also call our missing pet support line at 888-320-1014 for live help.
What happens if my pet is lost without a collar?
A vet or shelter will scan your pet's microchip and look it up through the AAHA Microchip Lookup Tool, where Pawbase records appear. They'll see your pet is registered with Pawbase and can view your contact information immediately.
How does Pawbase know the location when my pet's chip is searched?
When someone searches your pet's microchip or scans their collar tag, we capture the location of the finder's device with their permission. If location isn't available, we estimate based on a variety of factors when the search happened. Location alerts are a Pawbase Premium feature.
Someone found a pet and searched the chip on Pawbase. What do they see?
They see the pet's profile with the contact details the owner chose to share, so they can call or text the owner directly. No app or account is required to view it.
Pawbase Collar Tag
How does the Pawbase Collar Tag work?
The tag has a QR code and an NFC chip built in. Anyone who finds your pet can scan or tap it with any smartphone to instantly open your pet's profile and contact you. No app is needed.
Do I need a Pawbase registration to use the Collar Tag?
Yes. The Collar Tag links to your pet's Pawbase profile, so your pet's microchip must be registered with Pawbase first. Registration is a one-time $24.99 fee, and the tag is $19.99 with free shipping.
How do I activate my Pawbase Collar Tag?
Each tag has a unique six-digit ID. In the Pawbase app or web portal, open your pet's profile and enter that ID to link the tag. Once linked, anyone who scans the tag sees your pet's information.
What if I move or change my phone number?
Just update your profile in the app or web portal. The tag always pulls from your live profile, so a finder sees your current details the moment you save a change. No re-engraving, no new tag.
Accounts & Privacy
Can I control what a finder sees?
Yes. You choose exactly which contact details appear on your pet's public profile, and you can adjust those privacy settings anytime in the app or web portal.
Can I add a backup contact?
Yes. You can add a backup contact to pet's profile from your pet's profile in the Pawbase app or web portal.
How do I delete my Pawbase account?
You can delete your account anytime in the Pawbase mobile app under Account, then Delete Account.