Can you easily find a microchipped cat? Yes, the key to finding a microchipped cat lies in knowing how the technology works and what steps to take if your cat goes missing. The presence of a microchip doesn’t make a cat magically reappear, but it significantly increases the chances of a reunion if the chip is scanned and the owner’s contact information is up-to-date. This guide will walk you through the proven steps and essential tips for locating a microchipped feline friend.
Image Source: pawmaw-images.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com
The Power of the Microchip: More Than Just a Dot
A microchip is a tiny, passive electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted under a cat’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. It’s not a GPS tracker, so it won’t tell you your cat’s exact location in real-time. Instead, each microchip contains a unique identification number. This number is linked to your contact information in a microchip database. When a lost or found pet is brought to a veterinarian or animal shelter, they use a specialized pet microchip scanner to read this number. This microchip identification is the crucial link that allows for microchip retrieval and a happy reunion.
Why Microchipping is Vital for Your Cat
- Permanent Identification: Unlike collars and tags that can fall off, a microchip is a permanent form of identification.
- Increased Reunion Rates: Studies consistently show that microchipped pets are reunited with their owners at a much higher rate than those without chips.
- Proof of Ownership: A microchip can serve as proof that the pet belongs to you.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your cat has a microchip offers invaluable peace of mind, especially if they are prone to wandering.
When Your Feline Friend Goes AWOL: The Search Begins
Losing a cat is a distressing experience. Knowing your cat is microchipped offers a significant advantage, but it requires proactive steps.
Step 1: Act Immediately – Time is of the Essence
The moment you realize your cat is missing, start your search. Don’t wait. The sooner you begin, the better your chances of finding them.
Step 2: Notify Your Microchip Company
This is a critical step. If your cat chip registration details are not current, the microchip is useless.
- Contact Your Provider: Call the company where your cat’s microchip is registered.
- Report Your Cat as Lost: Inform them that your cat is missing. This flags the microchip number in their system.
- Verify Your Contact Information: Ensure your phone number, address, and email address are all up-to-date. If you’ve moved or changed your number, this is the time to update it. Missing this step can prevent your lost cat microchip from being effectively used.
Step 3: Blanket Your Neighborhood with Information
Your immediate physical search is vital, but spreading the word is equally important.
- Create “Lost Cat” Posters:
- Include a clear, recent photo of your cat.
- Mention their breed, color, sex, age, and any distinguishing marks.
- State if they are microchipped.
- Provide your phone number and email address.
- Offer a reward if you can.
- Keep the poster design simple and easy to read from a distance.
- Distribute Posters Widely:
- Post them at busy intersections, community bulletin boards, local shops, vet clinics, and pet supply stores.
- Place them within a several-block radius of your home, expanding the area daily.
- Utilize Social Media:
- Post on local lost and found pet groups on Facebook, Nextdoor, and other community platforms.
- Include the same information as your posters, along with photos.
- Ask friends and neighbors to share your posts.
Step 4: Alert Local Animal Shelters and Rescues
Animal shelters and rescue organizations are the most common places where found pets end up.
- Visit in Person: Don’t just call. Visit every shelter and rescue within a 20-mile radius of your home regularly (daily or every other day).
- Provide a Detailed Description: Give them your cat’s description and confirm they are microchipped.
- Leave a Flyer: Hand them a “Lost Cat” flyer to post.
- Check “Found” Listings: Also, check their “found” pet listings daily for any cats that match your description.
Step 5: Inform Local Veterinarians
Veterinarians frequently scan found pets they encounter.
- Call and Visit Clinics: Contact all veterinary clinics in your area.
- Provide Information: Leave them with a flyer and your cat’s description, emphasizing they are microchipped.
Step 6: Conduct a Thorough Physical Search
Don’t underestimate the power of a persistent, methodical search.
- Search Your Home and Yard First: Cats are masters of hiding in plain sight. Check every nook, cranny, closet, cupboard, under beds, behind appliances, and in sheds or garages.
- Search During Quiet Hours: Cats are often most active and vocal at dawn and dusk, or during quiet night hours. This is when you’re most likely to hear them or for them to venture out.
- Use Familiar Scents: Place your cat’s favorite blanket, bed, or an unwashed item of your clothing outside your home. The familiar scent can help guide them back.
- Listen Carefully: Call your cat’s name softly. Listen for faint meows. Bring a flashlight to peek into dark spaces.
- Check Hiding Spots: Cats often seek shelter in quiet, dark, and enclosed spaces like under decks, in bushes, in garages, under cars, and in drainpipes.
Step 7: Engage the Help of Neighbors
Your neighbors can be invaluable allies in finding your lost cat.
- Talk to Your Neighbors Directly: Go door-to-door and inform them your cat is missing. Ask them to check their sheds, garages, and under decks.
- Request They Leave Out Water: Ask them to leave out water for your cat, especially during warmer weather.
- Ask Them to Keep an Eye Out: Remind them to be aware of any new cats in the area or any cats hiding.
Leveraging Technology for Microchip Retrieval
The microchip is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness depends on how it’s used in the search.
The Role of the Pet Microchip Scanner
A pet microchip scanner is a handheld device that emits a radio frequency signal. When a microchip is brought close to the scanner, the chip is powered by the scanner’s signal and transmits its unique identification number back to the scanner. These scanners are standard equipment at veterinary clinics and animal shelters.
How to Use Microchip Lookup Tools
If you find a cat and suspect it might be microchipped, or if you’ve lost your cat and want to be prepared:
- Microchip Lookup Websites: There are several national and international databases that allow you to search for a microchip number. These services act as a central microchip lookup portal.
- AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup: This is a widely recognized and comprehensive service that searches multiple microchip registries. You can enter the microchip number, and it will tell you which company the chip is registered with.
- PetLink.net: Another popular registry.
- 911PETCHIP.COM: Offers a similar service.
- The Process:
- Obtain the microchip number from the pet.
- Go to a microchip lookup website.
- Enter the microchip number into the search field.
- The tool will then tell you which microchip database the chip is registered with.
- Contact that specific microchip database provider with the microchip number to get the owner’s contact details.
Understanding the Microchip Identification Number
Each microchip identification number is unique. It’s like a serial number for your pet. This number is the key to unlocking the owner’s information from the microchip database.
Found a Cat? Here’s How to Help a Lost Cat Microchip Find Its Owner
If you find a cat that appears lost, the most responsible action is to check for a microchip.
Steps to Take When You Find a Cat:
- Approach Safely: Approach the cat cautiously and gently. Speak in a calm voice. If the cat seems fearful or aggressive, do not attempt to handle it.
- Secure the Cat (If Possible): If the cat is friendly and you can safely do so, try to secure it in a carrier or a safe room in your home.
- Check for a Collar and Tags: Look for a collar with identification tags.
- Take the Cat to a Vet or Shelter for Scanning: This is the most crucial step.
- Vet Microchip Scan: Call local veterinary clinics and ask if they can scan the cat for a microchip. Most will do this free of charge.
- Animal Shelter Scan: Take the cat to the nearest animal shelter. They have pet microchip scanners and will be able to check if the cat is microchipped.
- Use Microchip Lookup Tools: If you have access to a scanner yourself (some rescues and shelters may lend them or sell them), you can use the microchip number to perform a microchip lookup online.
- Report the Found Cat: Even if you don’t find a chip, report the cat you found to local shelters and online lost pet registries.
What if the Microchip Registration is Outdated?
Sometimes, even with a microchip, a reunion can be difficult if the cat chip registration is not up-to-date.
- The Database Holds the Key: The microchip database is the only source of information. If the owner’s details are wrong, the database provider cannot contact them.
- Shelters and Vets’ Role: Shelters and vets will hold a microchipped cat for a certain period, hoping the owner will be found through the chip’s information.
- Your Role: If you find a microchipped cat with outdated information, continue to report it to shelters and local lost pet networks. The owner might be actively searching and checking these resources.
Tips for Effective Microchip Retrieval and Prevention
- Always Register Your Microchip: Don’t just buy the chip; ensure it’s registered with a reputable microchip database.
- Keep Your Information Current: Life changes! Update your contact details with the microchip database immediately after any move, phone number change, or email address change.
- Consider a Microchip Tag: While not a replacement for the chip itself, a microchip tag that says “This pet is microchipped” can alert people to scan the animal.
- Use a Collar with ID Tags as Well: While microchips are permanent, a visible ID tag provides immediate contact information if your cat is found quickly.
- Regularly Check Your Cat’s Microchip: Some people periodically have their cat scanned at the vet to ensure the chip is still functioning and readable.
- Know Your Microchip Number: Keep your cat’s microchip number recorded in a safe place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if my cat is microchipped, but I lost the registration papers?
Don’t worry! You can usually retrieve your cat chip registration information. Contact the vet or shelter where your cat was originally microchipped. They should have a record of the microchip number and the company it’s registered with. Once you know the company, you can contact them directly to update your details.
Can a microchip track my cat’s location?
No, a microchip is not a GPS tracker. It is an identification device that can only be read when a pet microchip scanner is passed over it.
How long does a microchip last?
Microchips are designed to last the lifetime of the pet. They do not require batteries and are generally very durable.
What is the process if someone finds my microchipped cat and uses a microchip lookup?
When someone finds your cat and uses a microchip scanner, the unique identification number will be retrieved. They will then use a microchip lookup service to identify the microchip database it belongs to. The database company will then contact you using the registered contact information, leading to microchip retrieval and a happy reunion.
Should I still use a collar and tags if my cat is microchipped?
Yes, absolutely. While microchips are excellent permanent identification, collars with ID tags provide immediate contact information if your cat is found quickly. They also serve as an early warning that your cat is owned, potentially deterring people from keeping a lost pet.
How often should I update my microchip information?
You should update your information any time your contact details change. This includes moving house, changing your phone number, or changing your email address. Keeping your cat chip registration current is crucial for successful microchip retrieval.
What if I found a cat without a collar?
If you find a cat without a collar, the first and most important step is to take it to a local veterinarian or animal shelter to be scanned for a microchip. This is the best way to locate the owner.
By following these steps and understanding how microchips work, you can significantly increase your chances of finding your lost feline companion. The microchip identification system, when properly managed, is a powerful tool for reuniting pets with their families.