MICROCHIP Information
See our General Resources tab for organizations that offer microchipping (often at low-cost)
​​
Microchips & Why They Matter
Microchips are an important tool in helping lost pets find their way back home — but they only work if they are registered and the information is kept current.
Some veterinary offices and shelters do not automatically register microchips after they are implanted. It’s the pet owner’s responsibility to take the chip number and register it with a microchip company or database.
We also recommend having your pet’s microchip scanned periodically (such as at annual vet visits) to make sure it’s still functioning and hasn’t migrated from the original implant site.
​
For Finders of Lost Pets
If you’ve found a pet, please make sure the animal is scanned for a microchip as soon as possible.
We strongly advise not posting publicly if a microchip is not found.
This information can sometimes make it easier for the wrong person to falsely claim a pet. Instead, simply share that the pet has been safely found and is being checked for identification.
​​
Microchip Registries & Search Tools
There are many microchip brands, registries, and lookup tools available. To help pet owners and finders, Find Toby in PA provides links to external microchip resources as a reference.
We do not endorse any specific business or organization — our goal is to make useful information easily available to our followers.
Please note:
-
Services offered by these organizations may change without notice.
-
Always verify current information before using any service.
-
Some registries may charge a fee.
If you know a site that should be included on our page, please contact us with details at findtobyinpa@yahoo.com
​
Microchip Registries
​
​
Microchip Search
AAHA Microchip Lookup - A tool from the American Animal Hospital Association. The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool is NOT a microchip registry—it is an internet-based application to assist in the identification of those registries on which a particular microchip is registered, or otherwise provide the chip’s manufacturer. The tool works by searching the databases of participating companies. It will not return pet owner information contained in the registries’ databases, instead it will identify which registries should be contacted when a lost pet is scanned and a microchip number is identified. Click here for a list of participating companies with AAHA Microchip Lookup.
​
Scanning Pets
​
The graphic below, from the Humane Society of the United States demonstrates how to scan a pet for a microchip.
​
