Why Microchipping Your Pet Matters
Keeping pets safe, identified, and with the families who love them.
Losing a pet is something no family wants to experience. But even the most careful pet owners can find themselves searching for a missing dog or cat. An open door, a loose leash, or an unexpected noise can be all it takes for a pet to wander away from home.
That's why proper identification is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your pet. A registered microchip, paired with a properly fitted collar and ID tags, can make all the difference in helping a lost pet find their way home.
In both Fulton and DeKalb counties, stray animal holding periods can be as short as three days for pets without any identification.
These short timelines make proper identification especially important. Without a microchip or ID tag, shelter staff may have no way to identify a pet's family or contact them.
It's important to know that a microchip is not a GPS tracker. It won't show your pet's location or tell you where they've wandered. Instead, it provides a permanent form of identification that stays with your pet, even if their collar or tags fall off.
However, a microchip is only as helpful as the information connected to it. Registering your pet's chip and keeping your phone number and address up to date are essential steps in making sure someone can reach you if your pet is found.
One of the most common misunderstandings about microchips is that having one placed automatically means your pet's information is registered.
Microchipping and registration are two separate steps.
Not sure where your pet's microchip is registered? The AAHA Pet Microchip Registry Lookup can help you identify which registry to contact. If you don't know your pet's microchip number, your veterinarian can scan for it.
Whether your pet spends most of their time indoors, enjoys daily walks, or loves exploring the backyard, identification matters. Taking a few minutes to check their collar, ID tags, and microchip registration today could make all the difference tomorrow.
Because the best place for your pet is home with you.