Getting your dog microchipped is an important step toward keeping them protected, but the process doesn’t end when the chip is implanted. You also need to make sure the microchip is registered with your current contact information.
A microchip contains a unique identification number that can be scanned by a veterinarian, animal shelter, rescue organization, or animal control facility. However, the number needs to be connected to an owner record before it can help identify your dog and contact you.
If you’re wondering how to register your dog’s microchip, the good news is that the process can be completed online. NMR provides an online registration system where pet owners can connect their dog’s microchip number with their contact information.
Register your dog’s microchip with NMR to get started.
Why Should You Register Your Dog’s Microchip?
A microchip is designed to provide permanent identification for your dog. Unlike a collar or ID tag, it stays under the skin and cannot simply fall off during a walk or while your dog is playing.
But the chip itself doesn’t contain your phone number or address. It primarily provides a unique identification number. Registration connects that number with information that can help identify the owner.
For example, if your dog gets out of your yard and someone takes them to a veterinary clinic, the staff can scan the microchip. If the chip is registered and your information is current, the record can help them determine who the dog belongs to and how to contact you.
NMR explains that registration links your dog’s unique microchip number to your contact information, making it easier to work toward reunification if your dog becomes lost or stolen.
What You Need Before Registering Your Dog’s Microchip
Before starting the registration process, gather the information you will need. Having everything ready can make online registration much easier.
Your Dog’s Microchip Number
The most important piece of information is the microchip number.
NMR’s registration page currently requires a 15-digit microchip number for its registration form.
You may find your dog’s microchip number on:
- Veterinary paperwork
- Adoption documents
- Breeder records
- Previous microchip registration documents
- Pet medical records
If you cannot find the number, ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter to scan your dog. A scanner can read the identification number stored on the implanted microchip. NMR also recommends asking a veterinarian or rescue organization for assistance if you need to obtain the number.
Your Contact Information
You should also have your current contact information ready.
This may include:
- First and last name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Home address
- City and state
- ZIP code
- Country
NMR’s registration form asks for owner information such as your name, email, phone number, address, city, state, ZIP code, and country.
Using a phone number and email address that you check regularly is important. If your dog is ever found, outdated contact information could make it harder to reach you.
How to Register Your Dog’s Microchip Online
Once you have your dog’s microchip number and your contact details, you can begin the registration process.
Step 1: Find Your Dog’s Microchip Number
Start by locating the unique microchip number.
Check your dog’s veterinary records and adoption paperwork first. If you can’t find it, contact your veterinarian and ask them to scan your dog.
Don’t guess the number. Entering an incorrect microchip number could connect your account with the wrong identification record.
Step 2: Visit the NMR Registration Page
Once you have the microchip number, visit the NMR registration page:
NMR’s online registration page provides different registration options and asks for the owner’s information and the dog’s details.
Step 3: Enter Your Information
Fill in your contact details carefully.
Make sure your:
- Name is correct
- Phone number is active
- Email address is accurate
- Address is current
Double-check everything before moving to the next step.
Your contact information is important because it provides the connection between your dog’s microchip ID and you as the pet owner.
Step 4: Enter Your Dog’s Details
The registration form also asks for information about your dog.
Depending on the registration option, this can include details such as:
- Pet name
- Breed
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Breeder information
- Microchip number
- QR tag number, if applicable
NMR’s registration form specifically includes fields for the pet’s name, breed, gender, date of birth, breeder details, and microchip number.
Enter the information as accurately as possible.
Step 5: Enter and Confirm the Microchip Number
Pay special attention to the microchip number.
NMR’s current registration form requires the microchip number to be entered and confirmed.
Compare the number with your veterinary paperwork or the number provided by the scanner before submitting the registration.
Step 6: Choose Your Registration Option
NMR currently offers several registration options, including a Basic Registry, Health Vault Registry, and Instant Recovery Kit options. The available features and pricing are displayed on the registration page.
Choose the option that best fits your pet’s needs.
Step 7: Review Your Details
Before completing registration, take a moment to review everything.
Check:
- Microchip number
- Pet name
- Owner name
- Phone number
- Address
- Pet information
A small mistake in your phone number or email address could become important later, so it is worth checking the details carefully.
Step 8: Complete the Registration
Once you’ve reviewed your information and agreed to the applicable terms and privacy policy, complete the registration process.
After registration, keep your confirmation information somewhere safe for your records.
What If You Don’t Know Your Dog’s Microchip Number?
Don’t worry if you can’t find the paperwork.
The easiest option is to contact your veterinarian and ask them to scan your dog. Veterinary clinics and animal shelters commonly have microchip scanners that can read the chip and provide its identification number.
You can also check adoption documents, breeder paperwork, or previous veterinary records.
NMR states that veterinarians and rescue organizations can provide the 9-, 10-, or 15-digit microchip number when it is scanned.
Once you have the number, you can use it to begin the registration process.
What If Your Dog Is Already Microchipped?
If your dog was adopted, purchased from a breeder, or previously owned by someone else, the microchip may already exist.
That doesn’t necessarily mean your information is registered correctly.
Ask for the microchip number and check the existing registration. If the previous owner’s information is still connected to the chip, you may need to complete an ownership transfer or update the registration.
NMR notes that a transfer changes the registered owner, while an update changes contact information on an existing registration.
If you’re unsure where the chip is currently registered, a microchip lookup can help identify the registry associated with the number.
How to Update Your Dog’s Microchip Information
Registering your dog once is not the end of your responsibility.
Your contact information can change over time.
For example, you may:
- Move to a new house
- Get a new phone number
- Change your email address
- Change your emergency contact
- Transfer ownership of your dog
Whenever something changes, update your pet’s microchip information.
NMR specifically recommends updating information after changes to your address, phone number, email, or ownership.
An old phone number can be almost as problematic as having no registration at all if someone finds your dog.
What Happens If Your Lost Dog Is Found?
Imagine your dog escapes from the backyard while you are away.
A neighbor finds your dog and takes them to a local animal shelter or veterinarian. The staff scans the dog and discovers a microchip.
The scanner provides the unique microchip number.
The number can then be searched through the appropriate registry. If your registration information is accurate, the record can help connect the dog with the owner.
NMR provides a microchip lookup system where users can enter a 9-, 10-, or 15-digit microchip number to check whether the chip is registered with NMR.
This is why registering your dog’s microchip before something happens is so important.
Microchip Registration vs. GPS Tracking
It’s also important to understand what a microchip does and doesn’t do.
A standard pet microchip is not a GPS tracker.
It doesn’t show your dog’s live location on a phone or map. Instead, it provides permanent identification that can be read when a compatible scanner is used.
For everyday protection, consider using multiple identification methods together:
- Registered microchip
- Collar
- ID tag
- Current contact information
Each method provides another way for someone to identify your dog.
Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make
Never Registering the Microchip
Some owners assume that the veterinarian automatically registers the chip after implantation.
Don’t assume this.
Ask whether the chip has been registered and verify that your information is connected to it.
Entering the Wrong Microchip Number
A single incorrect digit can create a problem.
Always compare the number with official veterinary paperwork or a fresh scan.
Forgetting to Update Contact Information
Moving to a new home or changing your phone number without updating the registry can make it difficult to contact you.
Relying Only on a Collar
Collars and ID tags are useful, but they can be lost or damaged.
A registered microchip provides an additional permanent identification method.
How Often Should You Check Your Dog’s Microchip Information?
It’s a good idea to review your pet’s information periodically.
You don’t necessarily need to change anything if your details remain the same. However, checking your information can help ensure that your phone number, email address, and address are still correct.
You should always update the record after a major change in your life.
NMR also notes that regular scanning during veterinary visits can help confirm that a microchip remains readable and present.
Why NMR Can Be Part of Your Dog’s Safety Plan
NMR, or the National Microchip Registry, provides an online platform to register pet microchips and look up registered microchip information.
Its registration system allows owners to connect their pet’s microchip with their contact information. NMR also offers registry options with additional features, such as digital medical record storage through its Health Vault option.
For dog owners, the most important thing is not simply having a microchip implanted. It’s making sure that the identification number is connected to accurate information.
Register your dog’s microchip with NMR and take this simple step toward better pet identification and recovery.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to register your dog’s microchip doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start by finding your dog’s microchip number. If you don’t have it, ask your veterinarian or a local animal shelter to scan your dog. Then visit the NMR registration page, enter your contact information and your dog’s details, carefully check the microchip number, and complete the registration.
Most importantly, don’t forget to update your information after registration. If you move, change your phone number, update your email address, or transfer ownership of your dog, make sure the microchip record is updated too.
A microchip is a small part of your dog’s overall safety plan, but having accurate registration information can make a big difference if your pet ever becomes lost. Register your dog’s microchip today at NMR.pet.