A microchip helps connect a found cat with their caregiver only if the number is registered and the contact details are accurate. Moving, changing a phone number, or changing the responsible caregiver are good reasons to check the record.
A microchip does not transmit an animal’s location. An up-to-date registry makes the scanned number useful for contacting you.
Find the number and registry
Look for microchipping paperwork and keep the number somewhere secure. If you cannot find it, ask a veterinary clinic to scan the chip. Do not try to locate or touch the chip under the skin yourself.
Check which database holds the number. If you are unsure, ask the clinic or organization that implanted the chip and use your country’s official registry lookup.
Update details and confirm
Contact the registry through its official website or phone number. Check the phone number, email address, and current home address; ask how to add a second contact person.
After making a change, save the confirmation and open the profile again to verify that the update is visible. Some databases may request documents or a fee under their own policies; check directly with the operator.
Include the record in routine care
At a routine appointment, ask the clinic to scan the chip and compare it with your paperwork. If you move, update the registry as soon as you have the new address.
A microchip does not replace an identification tag where a collar is safe and appropriate. Keep the chip number and registry contact somewhere separate from your phone in case the device is lost.
SMALL STEPS OF CARE
What you can do
- Find the microchip number in records or through a veterinarian
- Confirm which registry holds the number
- Check the address, phone, and email
- Save proof of the update
- Recheck the record after a move or number change
What to avoid
- Assuming the chip updates an address automatically
- Failing to confirm that the change was saved
- Thinking a microchip tracks location
CHECKING IS CARING
Sources and further reading
Sources checked November 2, 2026. The editorial team prepared this guide from public recommendations; it has not received individual veterinary review.
How we prepare our guides →Every cat has their own pace. Your attention makes a difference.
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