How to Host a Free Microchip Registration Clinic

A free microchip registration clinic can improve lost pet recovery rates by ensuring pets’ chips are working and properly registered. This guide shares steps for planning a microchip registration drive for shelters, rescues, or other animal welfare groups.

Why Microchip Registration Matters

Microchips give pets permanent identification and dramatically increase the chances of being reunited with owners. Microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to get home (52.2% vs. 21.9%), and microchipped cats have a 38.5% return rate compared to just 1.8% without a chip.

If a chip isn’t registered, finding the owner is harder but sometimes possible using a universal lookup tool and contacting the chip’s manufacturer or implanting organization. Outdated or missing records, however, can stop the process.

Collars and ID tags are still helpful, but they can be lost or damaged. Ideally, a pet should have:

• A registered microchip
• An ID tag with owner info
• Optional: a “microchipped” collar tag to deter theft

Pet owners can also alert their microchip company if their pet is missing, so the alert appears during a chip scan.

What Is a Microchip Registration Clinic?

A microchip registration clinic checks a pet’s chip number and updates owner details in the database. These community pet safety events help ensure pets in the area have current information on file, boosting lost pet recovery. Best candidates:

• Owners who never registered the chip
• Owners unsure if the chip is registered or info is current
• Owners who don’t know how to check chip records

These events differ from microchipping clinics (which implant chips), but you can combine both.

Planning Your Clinic

Date & Location

Holding the clinic at your organization is easiest. If elsewhere, check permit needs. Pick a time of year and day that works for the public—weekends often draw more people. Consider indoor vs. outdoor setups (cats indoors, leashed dogs outdoors) and have a weather backup plan.

Target Audience & Goals

Focus on locals with chipped pets but outdated or missing registration. Prepare for more attendees than expected and consider language access for those with limited internet or English skills.

Partnerships

Team up with vet clinics, shelters, animal shelter clinic planning partners, or microchip companies for space, supplies, and possibly a free microchip event for pets. Alert local police for traffic control at large events.

Staffing

You’ll need check-in, chip scanning, registration, education, animal handling, and possibly microchip implantation teams. Volunteers can help fill roles and float between stations.

Technology Access

Have universal microchip scanners, internet, and laptops or tablets for lookups and registration updates.

Drop-in vs. Appointments

Drop-ins allow more attendance but can mean long waits. Appointments give steadier flow.

Supplies Checklist

• Universal microchip scanners
• Registration forms and pens
• Tablets/laptops with chargers
• Educational pet ID and microchipping tips handouts
• Leashes, carriers, muzzles, first aid kits
• Directional signage and cleaning supplies
• Staff/volunteers for scanning, registration, education, and traffic
• If also offering microchipping: chips, sharps containers, gauze.

Promoting the Event

• Share bilingual flyers on social media and community boards
• Ask shelters, vet clinics, rescues, and pet stores to promote
• Contact local news outlets and radio
• Offer incentives like free ID tags, giveaways, or discounted services

Promote your free microchip registration as part of a community pet safety event to maximize turnout.

How to Register a Microchip at the Event

• Forms – Owners provide contact info, pet details, and a secondary contact.
• Weigh Pet – Some registries require weight.
• Scan for Chip – Use a universal scanner slowly over the pet’s whole body.
• Record Number – If no chip, direct to microchipping station or education.
• Lookup – Use the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup Tool.
• Verify Info – Update outdated records; enter new details provided.
• Education Station – Give owners written instructions on updating chips and any giveaways.

Multiple chips? Update all records. If registration lists a different owner or pet is reported missing, follow your jurisdiction’s ownership verification process before making changes.

After the Clinic

• Digitize and store registration records.
• Send partners a summary of results (e.g., number of pets registered and chipped).
• Track future reunions tied to the event to demonstrate impact.

Sharing success stories from your microchip pet safety event inspires others and builds support for future microchip scanner events.