Instructions
Complete the paperwork that comes with the microchip. Some agencies offer an online form for fast registration. If you have adopted a pet with an existing microchip, ask a veterinarian to scan the chip for agency information.
Provide your information to the registration agency. This will enable them to contact you quickly, when your lost pet is found. Provide the information of a close friend or a relative who can be contacted if the agency has trouble reaching you.
Submit the form by mail or online, if the agency has an online option.
Pay the registration fee. The company will activate the chip after adding your information to the National Microchip Lookup System. This is the database that most shelters and veterinarians use. Some companies will register pets with any brand microchip; while others are limited to specific brands. The American Microchip Advisory Council has been working to develop a network that will include all databases.
How to Activate a Microchip in a Dog
While collar tags can help get lost pets returned home quickly, microchips have proven to be more efficient. A microchip is a small transponder that uses radio frequencies to transmit information. The chip is implanted between the dog's shoulder blades -- and should the animal get lost -- an animal shelter, a vet's office or an animal control agency can scan the chip for information. The chips typically contain the contact information of either the owner or the agency that manages the registration.