How to Find Who a Dog With a Chip Belongs To

Some dog owners embed their pets with microchips so that if they are lost, they can be returned promptly. A veterinarian uses a needle to insert the microchip, which is the size of a grain of rice and is programmed with an identification number. The microchip has a lifespan of 25 years, and the number is registered with a national microchip database. If you find a stray dog, do your part to return the four-legged friend to its family.

Instructions

    • 1

      Coax the dog to you and check to see if it has a collar and tags. Use a leash to transport the dog to the nearest veterinarian, or contact a mobile vet to come to your house between appointments to check the dog for a microchip. If you do not feel safe approaching the dog, call your local animal control for assistance.

    • 2

      The veterinarian will scan the dog for a microchip. If a chip is found, the vet will contact the national microchip database via telephone. The microchip center will contact the dog's owner to retrieve it.

    • 3

      Leave the dog at the vet's office for pickup by the owner.