Microchip Registry Lookup

For veterinary hospitals, animal control facilities, and shelter staff members seeking to streamline the process of reuniting lost pets with their owners, AAHA offers the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. This innovative tool is the result of unprecedented collaboration among various microchipping and pet recovery companies.

While this tool’s represents a significant milestone in the effort to facilitate pet reunions, AAHA recognizes that it is a work in progress and will undergo periodic evaluations to enhance its functionality.

It’s important to note that this registry lookup tool does not disclose pet owner information, or allow pet owners to update their pets’ microchips. Instead, it serves as a lookup tool to help identify the registry where a pet’s microchip is registered.

To begin using the tool:

Obtain the 9-, 10-, or 15-digit microchip number.
Enter the microchip number (without spaces or punctuation) to receive a list of registries to contact for pet owner information.
Starting with the first company listed (the most recent registry), contact each company to inquire if they possess the pet owner’s information.

Certain microchips, particularly those starting with the number 900, may not be traceable to a single provider. In such cases, a list of companies to contact for pet owner information or registration purposes will be provided.

Occasionally, microchips are implanted but not registered to specific pets. In these instances, the registry lookup will generate a list of companies that may have sold the microchip. Contacting these companies and requesting “trackback” information on the purchaser of the microchip may lead to the pet owner’s contact details.

Please be aware that AAHA does not manage microchip registries and, therefore, cannot assist pet owners with microchip-related issues.

Participating Microchipping and Pet Recovery Services

View a list of companies incorporated into the tool

FAQs for AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool

How does this work?

AAHA provides an internet-based application that enables veterinarians, humane organizations, pet owners or other persons to search various Pet Recovery Service registries and identify those registries on which a particular microchip is registered. AAHA is not affiliated or involved with any specific microchip registry and has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with this Participating Pet Recovery Service Registry (“Registry”). This Registry has given AAHA permission to search the Registry’s database in order to assist pet owners in being reunited with their pets. AAHA does not maintain a database of microchips of its own. It only links to registries such as this one. The AAHA Universal Microchip Lookup Tool only searches the databases of companies that elect to participate in the program.

The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool works by checking the databases of the Participating Pet Recovery Service registries to determine which has registration information available for a microchip. Once a microchip identification number is entered into the tool, a list of all the registries with microchip registration information available, along with the registries’ contact information, appears in chronological order with the registry with the most recent update appearing first. If the microchip has not been registered with any Pet Recovery Service Registry, the result returned will default to the microchip’s manufacturer or distributor. While the tool will not return the pet owner information contained in the registries’ databases, it will identify which registries should be contacted when a lost pet is scanned and a microchip is found.

Is there a universal or global standard for microchips?

Yes, the 15-digit pet microchip is the international standard (see ISO 11784:1996 and ISO 11785:1996). If you travel to or move outside of the United States with your pet, consider having a 15-digit microchip implanted.

However, in the U.S., the Animal Welfare Act does not authorize the USDA-APHIS to regulate private pet ownership and concluded that it cannot mandate a national standard for pet microchips or scanners. Therefore, in the U.S., there are multiple microchip companies with multiple scanners, multiple radio frequencies, and multiple registration databases.

Which countries does this tool serve?

Microchip technology and regulations can vary by countries. The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool was created to primarily serve chips distributed in the United States.

What does a failed search mean?

A “failed search” means that the registry could not be checked for the microchip you entered. This is out of AAHA’s control, and you will want to try your search again at a later time.

Why doesn't the tool show the pet owner's information?

To protect the privacy of pet owners, the tool will display all the registries with microchip registration information available, along with the registries’ contact information. The information will appear in chronological order; the registry with the most recent update appears first. Additionally, the pet recovery services have trained experts, resources and infrastructure to efficiently and effectively contact the owners of lost pet.

Can I link this tool to my site?

The tool has been unanimously endorsed by the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families. Members of the coalition include: AAHA, American Humane Association (AHA), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives (ASVMAE), AVMA, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), National Federation of Humane Societies (NFHS), and the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA).

AAHA and the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families encourage all veterinary practices, shelters and animal control facilities to bookmark or link to www.petmicrochiplookup.org, and use it every time a lost pet is scanned. To download the tool’s logo to accompany a web link, please right-click the image to the right and select “save picture as”. Or download the full Pet Microchip Lookup logo pack here.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a Participating Pet Recovery Service Registry, please refer to your Letter of Agreement for proper use of the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool logo.

Attention Pet Owners!

This is NOT a place for pet owners to register or update their pets’ microchips. Contact a pet registry service to complete those actions.
This registry lookup tool does NOT provide pet owner information.
The American Animal Hospital Association does not manage microchip registries, so we cannot assist pet owners with microchip issues. Please contact your chip’s registry – after searching you may receive a list of potential registries your chip is managed by rather than just one company. Start by calling the first company on the list and work your way down to find which registry manages your chip.

Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions for PetMicrochipLookup.org