Hurricane Preparedness for Miami Pet Owners: Microchip Your Pets!

Part of your hurricane readiness plan for your pets should include checking their microchips.

Hurricanes and tropical storms are a fact of life in Miami. It’s hard enough to experience them as humans, but our poor pets have it much worse, especially if they’re anxious around storms. We hope your pets never become disoriented and lost after a hurricane. But if they do, microchipping your pets and ensuring their microchip information is up-to-date is one of the best ways to ensure they can be reunited with you quickly.

Heads up: microchips are only useful if they have been registered with their manufacturer or a registry and have up-to-date contact information. We’ll go over how to get that done below, starting with checking your pets’ microchips. Head over to our Pet Hurricane Preparedness Guide when you’re done reading this blog to learn more about making your pet’s go bag, finding pet-friendly shelters, and more.

First Steps: Microchip Your Pet and Register Their Microchip

Getting a microchip is easy! You can get one for your pet at your veterinarian at a minimal cost. Once your vet microchips your pet, remember to register it. Keep your registration information current—if you move, be sure to update that on the microchip company’s database or a separate registry like Home Again, 24PetWatch, or Peeva. There are many more, ask your vet for a recommendation. Cats should get microchipped, too!

You should make a habit of asking your vet to scan your pet’s microchip at their yearly check-up to ensure it’s still working (or even still in them—sometimes they migrate!). Most adopted pets have already been microchipped, so ask for the number and manufacturer’s info from the rescue organization and update the information.

How to Update Your Pet’s Microchip Registration

1. Get the Manufacturer and Microchip Number:
   • You need to know the manufacturer you registered your pet’s microchip with originally (or the one a rescue used) and your pet’s microchip number.
   • You should have your account information on file. Log in to the account you created with them. Make sure all of your information is correct, especially your phone number(s) and address.
2. If You Don’t Know Your Pet’s Microchip Manufacturer:
   • Use the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) Universal Microchip Pet Lookup Tool. You can search the registries for most microchip manufacturers or public microchip registries.
   • You can’t use it to update your microchip, and it doesn’t disclose the pet parent’s information.
   • You need your pet’s microchip to use the lookup.
3. Don’t know your pet’s microchip number?
   • Scan your pet for free at your veterinarian’s office, animal shelters, or animal control centers.
   • Many dog rescue organizations in Miami also own a microchip scanner.
   • Reach out to your networks for help if needed.

How to Use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool

1. Get the Microchip Number: Ensure you have your pet’s 9-, 10-, or 15-digit microchip number.
2. Enter the Microchip Number: Input the number (without spaces or punctuation) into the lookup tool to get a list of registries to contact for pet owner information.
3. Contact Registries: Begin with the first company listed (usually the most recent registry) and contact each to determine if they have your pet’s information.

Special Cases to Consider

• Microchips Starting with 900: Certain microchips, especially those starting with the number 900, may not be traceable to a single provider. The AAHA lookup tool will provide a list of companies to contact for registration information in these cases.

Why Microchipping Your Pet is Crucial During Hurricane Season

Microchipping your pet provides peace of mind during the chaos of the hurricane season. In the event of an evacuation or if your pet becomes lost, a microchip significantly increases the chances of a safe reunion. We highly encourage all pet parents to check their pets’ microchips and keep their information current. This includes cats! It’s a crucial and inexpensive first step in ensuring their safety during hurricane season that pays off year-round.

Have any questions about how to microchip your pet? Please contact us for more information on how to prepare your pets for hurricane season or to schedule a consultation. Let’s work together to keep our pets safe and secure!

Equipaws Pet Services