Microchips, explained

A microchip is a tiny ID number placed under a dog's skin. It only helps if someone scans it and the number is registered with current contact details.

What a chip is, and isn't

• It's an ID number, read by a handheld scanner.
• It isn't a GPS tracker. It can't show where a dog is.
• It doesn't store the owner's name or phone. Those live in a registry database.

If you found a dog

1. Ask any vet clinic or shelter to scan the dog. It's usually free. In Miami-Dade, finders must have the dog scanned within 72 hours.
2. Put the number into the AAHA lookup (opens in a new tab). Chips are 9, 10 or 15 digits.
3. The lookup shows which registry holds the chip. Call them; they'll help reach the owner. In Miami-Dade, finders must contact the registered owner within 24 hours of finding a chip.

If you own a dog

• Find the chip number in your vet or adoption records, and look it up to see where it's registered.
• Make sure your phone number and address are current. Outdated details are one of the most common reasons chipped dogs don't get home.
• If your dog goes missing, call the registry right away to flag them as lost.

Unregistered chips

If a chip was never registered, the lookup may show the manufacturer or the clinic or rescue that bought it. They can sometimes trace it, so it's still worth calling.