Photo Credit: Lexa Shep. This post contains affiliate links
Even the best pet parents can have a scare. A door was accidentally left open. A gate was not latched. A loud storm or fireworks spooking your pet. In those moments, ID can mean the difference between being lost and coming home.
That’s why National Pet ID Week is a great time to check your pet’s ID tags and microchip information to ensure that everything is current and correct.
According to the American Humane Association, 1 in 3 pets will go missing during their lifetime. Sadly, only 22% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats without ID are returned to their families.
Let’s start with the basics and change that.
✅ 1. A Sturdy Collar and ID Tag
Your pet should wear a collar with a readable ID tag at all times—even if they stay indoors. It’s the fastest way for someone to help your pet get back to you.
Your tag should include:
- 🐶 Your pet’s name
- 📞 Your phone number
- 🏡 Optional: your address or email
👉 Need a new tag? customizable ID tags on Amazon (affiliate link)
✅ 2. A Microchip (That’s Actually Registered!)
A microchip is a tiny device (about the size of a grain of rice) placed under your pet’s skin. It holds a unique ID number that links to your contact info in a microchip registry.
Important: A microchip only works if it’s registered with your current contact info.
Otherwise, a shelter or vet won’t be able to reach you if your pet is found.
🛑 URGENT ALERT: Save This Life Registry Closure
In early 2025, the Texas-based microchip company Save This Life suddenly shut down, leaving thousands of microchips unregistered and unreachable. If your pet was chipped through Save This Life, their microchip might no longer work in a national database. This affects both pet owners and shelters, who can no longer access the registry.
🔍 How to Check and Update Your Pet’s Microchip Info
Find your pet’s microchip number.
You might find it in adoption papers or vet records. If not, ask your vet to scan your pet.
Use the Pet Microchip Lookup Tool:
Visit www.petmicrochiplookup.org to see where your chip is registered.
Check your contact info.
Log in to your chip registry and make sure your phone, address, and email are up to date.
Can’t find your registry, or it’s inactive?
Register your pet’s chip with a trusted registry:
- HomeAgain
- AKC Reunite
- 24Petwatch
- Free Pet Chip Registry(a low-cost option)
Keep a backup.
Save the chip number in your phone or write it down and store it with your vet.
✅ 3. GPS Trackers for Pets Who Like to Roam
For pets who love to explore (or have a history of escaping), a GPS tracker offers real-time location tracking straight to your phone. Some GPS collars even have geofencing alerts, so you’ll know if your pet leaves a safe zone.🐾 Explore top-rated GPS trackers like the Fi Smart Collar (affiliate link) to help keep tabs on your pet’s location in real time.
🐕 What to Do If Your Pet Goes Missing
Even with proper ID, pets can still go missing. Here’s what to do immediately:
1️⃣ Search your neighborhood – Check favorite hiding spots, call your pet’s name, and bring treats or a favorite toy.
2️⃣ Alert local shelters and vet clinics – Many lost pets are taken to nearby shelters or vet offices.
3️⃣ Use social media and lost pet sites – Post on community pages, Nextdoor, and sites like PawBoost and PetFBI.
4️⃣ Check your pet’s microchip registry – Ensure your contact info is correct in case they are found and scanned.
Final Thoughts: A Small Step for Big Peace of Mind
Taking a few minutes to update your pet’s ID and microchip and considering a GPS tracker can make all the difference in bringing them home safely if they ever get lost. National Pet ID Week is the perfect time to make sure your pet’s information is current, because every pet deserves to find their way home.
