Microchips
What is a Microchip?
Chip shown with grains of rice
A microchip, or "chip" is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted subcutaneously (just under the skin) between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet's neck.
Each chip has a unique series of numbers (some have letters) that is detected using a microchip scanner. There is no other information on the chip. Think of this like the VIN on your vehicle.
In order to be useful, the chip number and owner information has to be registered, either with the chip manufacturer or another registry. Think of this like the registration on your vehicle. A chip registered to you can act as proof of ownership. Sometimes a clinic or shelter that implants the chip will register the chip, but often they leave it up to the owner. If that is the case, the only information tied to the chip may be the facility that purchased/implanted it. If they do not keep records of chip numbers and owner information, it could be a dead end. Make sure that your pet's chip is registered in your name and that your contact information is kept up to date.
Each chip has a unique series of numbers (some have letters) that is detected using a microchip scanner. There is no other information on the chip. Think of this like the VIN on your vehicle.
In order to be useful, the chip number and owner information has to be registered, either with the chip manufacturer or another registry. Think of this like the registration on your vehicle. A chip registered to you can act as proof of ownership. Sometimes a clinic or shelter that implants the chip will register the chip, but often they leave it up to the owner. If that is the case, the only information tied to the chip may be the facility that purchased/implanted it. If they do not keep records of chip numbers and owner information, it could be a dead end. Make sure that your pet's chip is registered in your name and that your contact information is kept up to date.
Microchip Lookup Tool
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Click on the tag to the left to go to the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup website. Here you can enter a microchip number to see if it has been registered so the pet's owner can be contacted. You can also enter your pet's chip number to see if your pet's chip is registered, and where.
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I Found a Pet with a Chip, Now What?
If you found a pet and had the pet scanned, you can put the chip number into the Microchip Lookup tool. If the chip is registered, then the owner should be alerted by the chip registry that their pet was found. If the chip is not registered, the information is outdated, or there is confusion about the actual owner (person claiming ownership is not the person on the chip), you can contact Chico Animal Shelter to assist you. The animal may need to come to the shelter while the chip is sorted out and legal notification is sent. You can also visit the Microchip Help site for more information.
My Pet is Chipped, but the Chip is Not Registered
After looking up your pet's chip, you can register the chip with the chip manufacturer. There may be a fee for registration, either one time or annually. Or you can register your pet's chip free of charge on Michelson Found Animals Registry. Click on the link to the right to get started.
My Pet Isn't Chipped, I'm Not Sure if My Pet is Chipped or I Don't Know the Chip Number
We can help! Call to make an appointment to have your pet scanned for a chip. If there is a chip, we can check to see if the chip is registered and give you the chip number so you can register or update your information. If you pet is not chipped, we can microchip your pet and help with registration. Call the shelter at 530-894-5630 Noon - 6:00 PM to set up an appointment.
My Pet is Missing
If your pet's chip is registered, let the registry know the pet is missing so they can flag the chip, and make sure your contact information is up to date. If you don't have the chip number or know if the chip is registered, you may be able to get more information from the shelter or clinic where the pet was chipped. They may be able to give you the chip number and tell you if the chip is registered. You can still register the chip if your pet is missing, and have the chip flagged.
What Else Should I Know?
As of January 1, 2021 all animals that are adopted or reclaimed from an animal shelter must be chipped before being released back to their existing or new owner. Chico Animal Shelter has always microchipped all adopted animals, but the new law requires that we chip all reclaimed animals if they are not already chipped.
