Microchips Work

The Way Home
For Lost PetsSM

Collars break and pet ID tags can fall off or become hard to read. That’s why the permanent ID a microchip provides is your pet’s ultimate safety net to help bring them safely home to you!

AKC Reunite is available 24/7/365 to help reunite you and your pet when it goes missing — with no annual or update fees!

Microchips Work

The Way Home
For Lost PetsSM

Collars break and pet ID tags can fall off or become hard to read. That’s why the permanent ID a microchip provides is your pet’s ultimate safety net to help bring them safely home to you!

AKC Reunite is available 24/7/365 to help reunite you and your pet when it goes missing — with no annual or update fees!

A Microchip Permanently Identifies Your Pet

A microchip is a grain-sized capsule that is implanted by a veterinarian underneath the skin between a dog’s or cat’s shoulder blades. Implantation is quick and virtually painless, similar to a pet vaccine.

A microchip has no power source, so it is NOT a GPS or an online directory. Instead, a microchip has a small passive antenna that is activated when a microchip scanner passes over the microchip. The scanner “turns on” the microchip for a few seconds and sends the ID number to the scanner.

After a pet is microchipped, its permanent ID number is registered with the pet owner’s contact information in the AKC Reunite lost pet recovery service. When a pet is found, veterinarians and shelters have scanners that read and display the microchip ID number so AKC Reunite can email, text and call the contacts on the pet’s microchip record.

Microchips Are Tiny But Mighty!

Collars can be removed, and tags can fall off or become hard to read. A microchip provides a permanent form of identification that gives your pet a 300% better chance of being reunited with your family!

If a pet has a microchip, it is a theft deterrent. The chip not only increases the chances you will be reunited with your pet, but also helps prove ownership if your pet is stolen.

When a pet is found sick or injured, a veterinarian will scan for a microchip to quickly contact the owners for the pet’s vital medical history and to secure treatment authorization.

Enroll Your Pet’s Microchip

A microchip ID number actually doesn’t do a lot on its own; it is similar to a blank collar tag. This is why you need to enroll your pet’s microchip ID number with your contact information in AKC Reunite’s Lost Pet Recovery Service.

Our Reuniters Helpline Team Members are standing by 24/7 day and night to help lost pets. When your pet is reported found, we immediately call, email, and text you and any other contacts on your pet’s enrollment record to reunite you and your pet as quickly as possible!

We enroll all brands of microchips and do not charge annual or update fees for as long as you own your pet.

Help Us, Help You!
Are Your Records Up-To-Date?

10 million pets are lost in the United States each year* — and it is estimated one out of three pets will go missing at some point in their lifetime! That’s why it is important to make sure your pet’s enrollment information is current and have extra Alternate Contacts on file.

You can update your records free of charge with your Online Records System Account, or by calling us at 800-252-7894, or by completing this form.

*Every Day Is Tag Day – Is Your Pet Protected?
(American Humane Society)

Keep Your Pet Safe
And Found

With a legible collar tag securely fastened to your pet’s collar tag and up-to-date microchip enrollment information, you have increased the odds your lost pet will make it back home to you!

You can also help prevent your pet from going missing by curbing the pet flight risks we encounter everyday.

Improper Fencing

Open gates, broken fence doors, missing fence panels, or faulty electric fences make for easy escape routes!

Prevention:

  • Securely latch all gates
  • Repair missing, warped or broken fence pieces
  • Seal any gaps that a pet can crawl underneath
  • Check electric fence collar batteries and electric fencing perimeter
  • Re-check boundaries after storms

Loud Noises

Fireworks, thunder, motorcycles, and other loud sounding vehicles can terrify your pet, causing it to flee from the noisy confusion!

Prevention:

  • Never take your pet to an event with fireworks
  • Set up a quiet place for your pet with toys and long lasting treats
  • Expose your pet to similar noises ahead to help your pet acclimate
  • Bring your pet inside before planned, noisy events will occur
  • Check fence boundaries before letting pet outside

Open Doors

Guests visiting for events, to pet-sit, or to fix maintenance issues offer open invitations to flee!

Prevention:

  • Train your pet that open doors do not mean “go!”
  • Keep your pet in a secure environment when guests arrive
  • Establish a homeowner’s rule on open doors
  • Add self-locking or security systems for doors and windows

Bad Actors

It only takes a minute for your pet to be stolen in plain sight!

Prevention:

  • Never leave your pet tied up outside a storefront or alone in a car
  • Keep a watchful eye on your pet if yard is accessible from the road
  • Avoid off-leash walks in unfamiliar areas
  • Ensure home and car doors/windows are secure

Wildlife Temptations and Off-Leash Walks

Large or small, woodland critters and wildlife can show up unexpectedly and tempt your pet to wander or chase!

Prevention:

  • Make sure you have sturdy and secure fencing
  • Keep pet leashed when outside
  • Watch pet closely if un-leashed on walks or unsecured yard
  • Walk in areas that are not heavily trafficked
  • Train pet on proper recall and not to chase
  • Spay or neuter your pet

Home Alone Or In A New Residence

Pets can become extremely anxious or bored when left alone or in a new environment with different sounds and smells!

Prevention:

  • Secure windows and doors, especially when pets are alone
  • Give your pet plenty of attention and stimulation when you are together
  • Leave behind familiar items, toys and long-lasting treats to distract your pet
  • Take your pet ahead of time to explore their new home
  • Update your address with AKC Reunite
  • Consider hiring help to check in on pet