Losing a pet is every owner’s worst nightmare. You picture them scared, confused, and possibly far from home. Now imagine someone kind-hearted finds your dog or cat—but they don’t see a collar or any tags. Would they even know your pet has a microchip? And more importantly, would they know what to do next?

This scenario happens more often than most people realize in Roswell, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Alpharetta, and other nearby Georgia communities. Understanding how microchips work, and what really happens when a stranger finds a lost pet, can make the difference between a quick reunion and weeks of heartbreak.

1. How Microchips Help Bring Pets Home

A microchip is a tiny device—about the size of a grain of rice—implanted under your pet’s skin. It’s not a GPS tracker, but it holds a unique ID number that links to your contact information in a secure database.

When a pet is found, most veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and animal control agencies have microchip scanners to check for that ID number. Once scanned, the number is used to look up the registered owner’s details, and a call is made to bring your pet home.

You can learn more about how microchips work from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

2. What Happens If Someone Doesn’t Know About the Microchip?

Even if the person who finds your pet has never heard of microchipping, there’s a good chance they’ll take them to a shelter or veterinarian to check for ID. This is where having an updated and registered microchip becomes critical.

• Your contact information is outdated.
• The chip was never registered after implantation.
• The chip has shifted and isn’t detected during a quick scan.

That’s why regular microchip checks are so important. Roswell Vets 4 Pets offers microchip scanning and placement services, so you can verify your chip is working and your details are current.

3. Why Updated Information Matters

A functioning chip is only useful if it’s linked to the right owner information. If you’ve moved, changed phone numbers, or adopted your pet from someone else, you’ll need to update your registration with the microchip company.

Here are quick tips to keep your microchip info up-to-date:

• Check the chip annually during a wellness visit.
• Keep your phone number current in the registry.
• Register in multiple databases for wider coverage.

You can also use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool to find the registry connected to your pet’s microchip and ensure your contact information is correct.

4. What If the Microchip Isn’t Found Immediately?

Microchips are highly reliable, but occasionally, a scan might miss it. Reasons include:

• The chip migrating from the original implant site.
• A quick scan that doesn’t pass over the chip location.
• An incompatible or malfunctioning scanner.

To avoid this:

• Have your pet’s chip scanned at each checkup.
• Confirm the chip number matches your registration records.
• Ask your vet to note the chip location in your pet’s medical file.

5. Microchips vs. Collars and Tags

A collar with an ID tag is visible, which makes it the fastest way for a finder to reach you. However, collars can break or fall off, especially if your pet gets caught on something.

That’s why microchips and ID tags work best together:

• Tags help with instant, on-the-spot contact.
• Microchips provide permanent, tamper-proof identification.

The American Humane Society emphasizes that combining both methods gives pets the highest chance of returning home safely.

Peace of mind comes from preparation. If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, or if you’re not sure whether their chip is working and registered, schedule a visit with Roswell Vets 4 Pets.

We can:

• Implant a new microchip.
• Scan and confirm your pet’s chip number.
• Guide you through updating your registration.

Don’t wait for an emergency to find out your pet’s microchip isn’t ready.
Request an Appointment today to make sure your pet has the best chance of coming home quickly if they’re ever lost.