How Do I Know if My Dog is Microchipped?

It's important to know if your dog is microchipped because it can help you reunite with your pet if it ever gets lost. Microchips can be scanned by any vet or animal shelter, and they will be able to tell you if your dog has one.

* Ask your veterinarian. If you obtained your pet from a veterinarian or animal shelter, it's likely that they microchipped your pet before you took it home.

- Request the microchip number and company contact information from the veterinarian.

- If your veterinarian does not have a record of your pet being microchipped, they may be able to scan the pet for you.

* Check for a microchip yourself. Many pet stores and animal shelters offer free microchip scanning services.

- You can call ahead of time to confirm that they have a universal scanner.

- Some universal scanners may not pick up on every kind of microchip, particularly if the microchip is older or from a less-common company.

- If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, you can get one implanted at the appointment.

* Contact the microchip company. If your dog’s microchip is active, you can contact the microchip company to ask for the number and the most up-to-date information on file for your pet and your contact details.

- Ask the microchip company to transfer the information to your contact information if it is outdated or incorrect.

Once you know that your dog is microchipped, make sure to keep your contact information up-to-date with the microchip company. If your pet is lost, your current address and phone number will be the ones on file with the microchip company, and they will be able to help you get reunited with your pet.