A tiny chip can make a big difference — but only if the information connected to it is accurate and up to date.
Check the Chip Day is an important reminder for dog and pet owners to confirm that their pet is microchipped, make sure the chip can be detected, and verify that the contact information registered to that microchip is current.
🐾 First, What Does a Microchip Actually Do?
A pet microchip is a small identification device placed under the skin by a qualified veterinary professional. Each chip carries a unique identification number that can be read with a compatible scanner.
If a lost pet is found and brought to a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, animal control facility, or another organization with access to a scanner, the chip number may help connect that pet back to their registered owner.
📍 Important: A Microchip Is Not a GPS Tracker
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about pet microchips.
A standard microchip:
🐾 Does not show your dog’s live location
🐾 Does not track where your dog has travelled
🐾 Does not require charging
🐾 Does not replace a collar and visible ID tag
Instead, it provides permanent identification that stays with your pet.
⚠️ The Chip Is Only Part of the Process
Having your dog microchipped is not enough on its own.
If you have changed your:
🐾 Phone number
🐾 Home address
🐾 Email address
🐾 Emergency contact
🐾 Last name
…your dog’s microchip registration may still contain outdated information.
That can create a serious problem if your dog becomes lost and someone is trying to reach you.
🔎 Your Check the Chip Day Checklist
Take a few minutes today to:
🐾 Confirm your dog has a microchip. If you are unsure, ask your veterinary clinic to scan your dog.
🐾 Locate your dog’s microchip number. Check adoption paperwork, veterinary records, registration documents, or contact the organization that implanted the chip.
🐾 Confirm which registry holds your information. Knowing the chip number is important, but owners should also know where their contact details are registered.
🐾 Review your contact information. Make sure your current phone number, email address, and other relevant details are correct.
🐾 Update emergency contacts. Choose someone who can be reached if you are unavailable.
🐾 Keep visible identification current too. A collar with an up-to-date ID tag can often help someone contact you quickly without needing access to a scanner.
🏠 Recently Adopted or Rehomed a Dog?
This is especially important.
If a dog has changed owners, do not assume the microchip registration automatically changed too. Confirm that the ownership and contact information associated with the chip has been properly updated through the appropriate registry.
📍 Edmonton Pet Owners: What If Your Dog Goes Missing?
If your dog goes missing in Edmonton, act quickly.
🐾 Search the immediate area and check places where a frightened or curious dog may hide.
🐾 Check the City of Edmonton’s Lost and Found Pets database and create a lost-pet posting with a clear, recent photo and accurate information.
🐾 Contact 311 for guidance and check whether your dog may be in the care of the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care & Control Centre.
🐾 Contact your microchip registry and make sure your phone number and other contact details are current.
🐾 Notify nearby veterinary clinics, shelters, and other appropriate local animal organizations.
🐾 Share a clear lost-dog notice through trusted local community networks. Include a recent photo, the general area where your dog was last seen, the date and time, and safe contact information.
🐾 Keep checking. A dog may be found hours or days after first going missing.
🐕 Found a Lost Dog in Edmonton?
If you find a dog, safety comes first.
🐾 Do not chase a frightened dog. A scared dog may run farther away or into danger.
🐾 If the dog approaches willingly and you can safely contain them, check for visible identification such as a collar tag or City of Edmonton licence tag.
🐾 Check the City of Edmonton’s Lost and Found Pets database to see whether the dog has already been reported missing.
🐾 If the dog has a City of Edmonton tag, contact 311 for assistance.
🐾 During business hours, the City advises contacting 311 or arranging intake with the Animal Care & Control Centre.
🐾 If you cannot safely approach or contain the dog, do not put yourself or the animal at risk. Contact the appropriate local authorities for guidance.
❤️ One Important Edmonton Reminder
Within the City of Edmonton, stray animals are handled through the Animal Care & Control Centre, and the City maintains a public Lost and Found Pets database. The Edmonton Humane Society also directs people dealing with strays found inside Edmonton to the City’s Animal Care & Control Centre.
For pet owners outside Edmonton, procedures may differ by municipality or county, so check with your local animal control service or shelter.
❤️ Small Chip. Big Impact.
Dogs can become lost for many reasons — an open gate, a frightening noise, an unexpected accident, or a moment of panic.
No identification method can guarantee that a lost dog will make it home, but layers of identification can help. A registered microchip with current contact information, visible ID tags, and appropriate local licensing can all play an important role.
Take a few minutes today. Check the chip. Update the information. Help keep them safe. 🐾
— Active Paws