August 15 was “Check the Chip Day”, an annual reminder to make sure the contact information on file with your pet’s microchip company is up to date. Otherwise, if your pet is lost, a shelter will have no way to contact you. Microchips are the best way to ensure your animal always finds their way home. Microchipped dogs are 2.5 times more likely to be returned to their owners from a shelter, and cats are 21.4 times more likely!
If you don’t know your pet’s microchip number or where the chip is registered, start by checking your pet’s adoption records. If you have the microchip number, visit the universal online registry American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), which allows you to look up the database where the chip is registered so you can update your contact information. If you don’t have the microchip number, ask your veterinarian.
Animals adopted from the SF SPCA are registered with 24PetWatch.com (you must follow up after the adoption to connect your personal information with your pet’s microchip number).
We also recommend registering your pet’s microchip with the Found Animals Microchip Registry as an added precaution, as this is a much larger database housing multiple manufacturers. The more databases that house your pet’s information, the better.
The SF SPCA’s lifesaving work relies on your support. Please make a donation today so we can continue helping the animals who need us.
