Microchip vs. ID tag: why your pet needs both (and why registering matters)

Updated October 13, 2026 · LostPet.com

Short answer

A microchip and an ID tag do different jobs, so your pet needs both. Anyone who finds your pet can read an ID tag and call you right away. A microchip is permanent ID that a vet or shelter can scan, but it only works if it's registered with your current phone number.

"My pet is microchipped, so we're covered." It's one of the most common things pet owners say, and it's only half true. A microchip and an ID tag do different jobs. The best protection uses both, plus a registration that keeps your details current.

The quick comparison

ID tag on a collar Microchip Free LostPet.com record
Who can use it Anyone who finds your pet A vet, shelter or animal control with a scanner You, to report your pet lost and share details fast
Can it come off? Yes, collars can come off No, it's under the skin No, it's online
What makes it work A current phone number on the tag Registration with your current contact info A photo and current details
Tracks location? No No No

A GPS tracker is a different thing: a device on the collar that shows where your pet is. It's useful, but it can come off with the collar like a tag can. The AVMA is clear that a microchip is not a GPS device (AVMA).

What an ID tag does best

An ID tag is the fastest way home. The ASPCA says personalized ID tags are likely the fastest way to return a pet, because anyone who finds the animal can read them (ASPCA). A neighbor can call you from the sidewalk. No scanner, no shelter trip.

The weak spot: collars can come off. And many pets don't wear one. In an ASPCA study, 80% of pet owners said ID tags were very or extremely important, but only 33% said their pets always wore one (ASPCA).

In an ASPCA-funded national survey of pet owners, 15% of the lost dogs that were found got home because of an ID tag or microchip (Weiss et al., 2012).

See what to put on a pet ID tag.

What a microchip does best

A microchip is a tiny device about the size of a large grain of rice, placed under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It has no battery. When a scanner passes over it, it sends back a unique ID number, usually 9, 10 or 15 digits long (AVMA).

Because it can't fall off, a chip is the backup when the collar is gone. And it makes a real difference. In a study of more than 7,700 stray animals in shelters (AVMA, summarizing JAVMA 2009):

The catch: a chip only works if it's registered

The chip holds a number, not your name or phone. The number has to be linked to you in a registry. The AVMA says only about 6 in 10 pet microchips are registered (AVMA, 2024). In the shelter study, the usual reason a chipped pet didn't get home was wrong or missing owner information (AVMA).

There's also no single national database in the US. Chips are registered with different registries, each with its own records (AVMA). If you're not sure where yours is, follow our guide to check your pet's microchip registration.

Why registering your pet on LostPet.com matters

Registering is about getting ready before anything happens. When a pet goes missing, people lose precious time hunting for a good photo, the chip number and the vet's paperwork.

A free LostPet.com record keeps it all in one place: your pet's photo, breed, color, ZIP code, microchip or tattoo number, and your phone. If your pet goes missing, you can report them lost right away, and My Pets can print a flyer with a QR code on the spot. You can register dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits and more.

LostPet.com doesn't replace your chip registry. Shelters and vets look chips up through the registry, so keep that current too.

Your three-layer plan

  1. Collar and ID tag with your current cell number. Check it's readable.
  2. Registered microchip. Ask your vet about microchipping, register the chip, and update it when your phone or address changes. The AVMA also suggests asking your vet to scan the chip at checkups to make sure it can still be read (AVMA).
  3. A free LostPet.com record with a clear photo and your details.

The ASPCA supports the same idea: a microchip paired with a collar and personalized ID tag (ASPCA).

Want to find a vet who can implant or scan a chip? Try our vet directory. Shelters near you are in our shelter directory.

Frequently asked questions

Is a microchip enough to get my lost pet back?

Not on its own. A chip has to be found with a scanner, and it only helps if it's registered with your current phone number. The AVMA says only about 6 in 10 pet microchips are registered. Pair the chip with a collar and ID tag that anyone can read, and keep both up to date.

Is a pet microchip a GPS tracker?

No. The AVMA says a pet microchip is not a GPS device and can't track your animal. It has no battery and only sends an ID number when a scanner passes over it. If you want live location, a GPS collar is a separate device you add to the collar.

Do indoor cats need an ID tag?

Yes. American Humane recommends tagging your cat even if it never goes outside, because it could slip through an open door. Use a safety (breakaway) collar made for cats, and register the cat's microchip too.

Does registering on LostPet.com replace my microchip registry?

No. Shelters and vets look up chip numbers through the chip's registry, so keep that registration current. LostPet.com is a free extra layer: a record with your pet's photo, description, chip number and your phone that you can use to report your pet lost and print a flyer quickly.

How much do a microchip and an ID tag cost?

Prices vary. Ask your veterinarian what they charge to implant a chip, and check whether your chip's registry charges for registration or updates. ID tags are usually inexpensive. Registering your pet on LostPet.com is free.

More LostPet.com guides

Sources

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is hurt or unwell, contact your veterinarian.