Pet Microchip Company Closes — 7 Urgent Steps to Protect Your Dog Now

When a pet microchip company closes its doors, thousands of dog owners suddenly face a frightening reality: their pet’s identification may no longer be accessible when needed most. This situation isn’t hypothetical—several microchip companies have ceased operations in recent years, leaving pet parents scrambling to protect their beloved companions.

Understanding the Microchip Crisis

Microchip companies maintain databases that link your pet’s unique chip number to your contact information. When these businesses shut down, their databases can disappear, become inaccessible, or transfer to new companies without proper notification. This creates a dangerous gap in your dog’s safety net.

The microchip itself remains functional—it’s a passive device that doesn’t break or wear out. However, without an active database linking that chip to your information, it becomes virtually useless. Animal shelters and veterinary clinics can still scan the chip and retrieve the number, but if that number leads to a dead-end database, your dog can’t be reunited with you.

This problem has affected major companies including Avid, HomeAgain’s older systems, and several smaller regional providers. Pet owners often discover these closures only when they attempt to update their information or, tragically, when their lost pet is found but can’t be identified.

7 Urgent Steps to Protect Your Dog Now

1. Identify Your Current Microchip Provider

Contact your veterinarian to determine which company manufactured your dog’s microchip and manages its database. Most vets keep detailed records of microchip installations. If you have your pet’s microchip paperwork, the company name should be clearly listed along with the registration number.

2. Verify Database Accessibility

Visit your microchip company’s website and attempt to log into your account. Try calling their customer service number. If the website is down, phones are disconnected, or you receive bounce-back emails, your database may be compromised. Don’t wait—these are red flags requiring immediate action.

3. Register with Universal Pet Microchip Lookup

The American Animal Hospital Association operates a free universal lookup tool that searches multiple databases simultaneously. Register your pet’s information here as a backup. This service acts as a safety net when primary databases fail or transfer ownership.

4. Consider Secondary Registration

Register your dog’s existing microchip with additional database services like Found Animals or FreePetChipRegistry. These organizations accept chips from any manufacturer and maintain their own searchable databases. Multiple registrations increase the chances of successful reunification.

5. Update Contact Information Everywhere

Ensure your current phone number, address, and email are updated across all platforms where your pet is registered. Include an emergency contact who lives in a different city. Many pet owners forget this crucial step, making their registration useless even when databases function properly.

6. Document Everything

Create a physical file containing your pet’s microchip number, registration confirmations, and contact information for all databases. Store copies in multiple locations and take photos for your phone. This documentation becomes invaluable if digital records disappear.

7. Consider Additional Identification

While addressing microchip issues, add backup identification methods. A collar tag with current contact information provides immediate identification without requiring special scanners. Consider this recipe or guide for creating custom identification solutions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many pet parents assume their veterinarian will notify them of microchip company changes—this rarely happens. Avoid waiting for someone else to solve the problem. Don’t rely solely on social media posts about database transfers, as misinformation spreads quickly. Never assume a new microchip is unnecessary if your current one is registered elsewhere—dual protection is better than none.

Conclusion

Taking proactive steps now protects your dog before crisis strikes. These seven actions ensure your beloved companion can find their way home regardless of corporate changes or database failures.

FAQs

Can I implant a second microchip if my first company closed?
Yes, dogs can safely have multiple microchips. Modern scanners detect multiple chips, though it may require additional scanning time.

How often should I verify my microchip registration?
Check your registration every six months and immediately after moving or changing phone numbers.

Are free microchip databases reliable?
Many free databases are highly reliable and maintained by reputable animal welfare organizations. They often provide better long-term stability than some commercial options.

What information should I include in my microchip registration?
Include your current phone number, address, emergency contact, and your pet’s basic medical information like allergies or medications.

Do microchips expire?
The microchip device itself lasts your pet’s lifetime, but database registrations may require periodic updates or renewals depending on the provider.

Should I notify my vet about registration changes?
Yes, inform your veterinarian about any microchip registration changes so they can update their records and assist future efforts if needed. For more helpful tips on pet safety, explore additional resources.

Pet Microchip Company Crisis Protection Guide

A comprehensive guide for dog owners to protect their pets when microchip companies close, including 7 urgent steps to ensure your dog can be reunited with you.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Required Information

• 1 set current phone number, address, and email
• 1 contact emergency contact in different city
• 1 number pet's microchip identification number
• 1 set pet's basic medical information (allergies, medications)

Method

 

7 Urgent Protection Steps

1. Contact your veterinarian to determine which company manufactured your dog's microchip and manages its database. Check your pet's microchip paperwork for company name and registration number.
2. Visit your microchip company's website and attempt to log into your account. Try calling their customer service number. Look for red flags like down websites, disconnected phones, or bounce-back emails.
3. Register your pet's information with the American Animal Hospital Association's free universal lookup tool that searches multiple databases simultaneously.
4. Register your dog's existing microchip with additional database services like Found Animals or FreePetChipRegistry for multiple backup registrations.
5. Update your current phone number, address, email, and emergency contact information across all platforms where your pet is registered.
6. Create a physical file containing your pet's microchip number, registration confirmations, and contact information for all databases. Store copies in multiple locations and take photos for your phone.
7. Add backup identification methods including a collar tag with current contact information that provides immediate identification without requiring special scanners.

Notes

Check registration every six months and after moving or changing contact information. Dogs can safely have multiple microchips. Keep physical documentation in multiple locations. The microchip device lasts your pet's lifetime but database registrations may need periodic updates.