Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the World Pet Register service.
 

What is a microchip?
A microchip is a tiny injectable glass cylinder about 12-14mm - the size of a grain of rice. It carries a unique number that can be read by a scanner. Microchips are also called transponders. back to top

Why should I microchip my pet?
There is only one purpose - to identify your pet - but there are many situations where this is useful and some where it is compulsory. The two most important situations are:
1. Rehoming lost pets. The chip in your pet will enable vets and rescue organizations to trace you, the owner.
2. International travel: many countries require microchips for pets entering the country. Chip numbers may have to correspond to laboratory and health reports to allow international travel. Governments use microchipping technology to help control the stray pet population. back to top

Is the microchip procedure painful?
Microchipping is not regarded as a painful procedure. It's probably about the same as vaccination. Sedation is generally not required. back to top

What is a scanner?
A scanner is a device used to read a compatible microchip. It may be a small, hand held device or a larger "walk through" type. It activates the microchip in the pet and displays the unique number in its window or computer display, working through hair, fur, feathers, glass, plastic, wood and many other materials. It is important that the scanners used in your area and the chip in your pet are compatible. We strongly recommend the newer 15 digit numeric code for all new chip insertions, as these are more universally readable. Various countries also promote this standard as the one of choice for entry procedures. It is likely to become the universal standard. back to top

My pet already has a collar with our name and address and a tattoo number on his ear. Is microchipping still necessary?
Collars are often lost and tattoos fade or can be altered. Unscrupulous individuals have even removed dogs' ears in order to get rid of the tattoo! Collars with id are still useful but microchips are considered the most reliable form of identification and cannot be altered. back to top

How do microchips work?
A scanner activates the chip which returns a tiny radio signal. The chip's number is then displayed on the scanner window. This rescue facility locates the pet owner on the secure database. Apart from the number, no other information is carried on the chip. back to top

How long do microchips last?
Microchips will last the lifetime of your pet. They do not have any moving parts. They do not carry a battery or emit radio waves (except for a moment during scanning). back to top

Are there different types of chip?
Yes. Several manufacturers make chips and there is not yet full agreement between them to allow reading of each other's chips. Also, different manufacturers and their agents operate separate search databases.

WPR is operating one Internet database for all chip types and is not tied to any one manufacturer. Authorised animal rescue centers, government organisations and veterinarians can access the database free of charge to identify found pets or pets entering a country.

We strongly recommend chips with the newer 15 digit number code. Major chip manufacturers are moving towards this as the universal standard although other types may be available in your area. We are encouraging use of universal scanners in animal facilities to cope with the numerous number formats currently possible, but the 15 digit numeric code is likely to be the most useful in future. back to top

My pet already has a microchip. Should I change to the new 15-digit standard?
You can register your pet with World Pet Register with any chip number but the newer 15 digit numeric code is likely to become a universal standard for scanning technology. Some people have had their pets chipped a second time to comply with this standard. This would only be advised if your area does not recognize your original chip. back to top

My pet is already registered with a chip manufacturer's database. Should I register again with World Pet Register?

If you intend your pet to stay in your local area and your area uses the manufacturer's search database there is no need to register elsewhere (although, of course, you are welcome to register with WPR if you wish).

If your pet is likely to travel outside the zone where your area's search database is used or your area's search database is not enabled for your pet's chip type, then World Pet Registration would be sensible. back to top

My pet is registered with World Pet Register. Can I also register with a local database in my home town?
Yes. You can register with multiple databases. This is appropriate if a local pet registration service is widely used in your area. One of the problems with local registration is that there may be competing services in one area and you may be tied to the service offered by the chip seller. World Pet Register aims to simplify the search procedure for any pet with any chip type in any location. In practice, few would need more than two registration facilities if one is World Pet Register. back to top

If my pet is lost, how does a chip help?
Without reliable identification leading to owner contact, there is no way for the finders to locate the lost pet's home. Most lost pets are found by someone somewhere. They are taken to a holding facility where there are likely to be many other lost animals. There is rarely space and funds to keep lost pets for long and, if an owner is not located quickly, pets are often euthanased. Although very useful, collars with id are often lost or become illegible with time.

With a microchip system:

  1. A quick scan reveals the chip number.
  2. The number is used to search the database
  3. The owner's contact numbers are found. back to top

How is World Pet Register different to chip makers' schemes?

  1. WPR is universal and allows registration of all chip types. Manufacturers' databases confine themselves to one chip type and are not used universally.
  2. WPR aims to have one registration / subscription process. Manufacturers may register their own chips on their own in-house systems and the price for doing this may be built into the cost of the chip. The pet is then also registered with the purchaser of the chip e.g. your local vet who must maintain a database of their own. Additional fees are often charged to register the new pet owner details in the company's in-house system. A different system in another area would not necessarily be compatible so repeat registration on another local database may be required. WPR aims to be accessible and useful to all pet owners, whatever chip type they use. Animal rescue facilities, vets and government organizations worldwide can access the system free of charge, regardless of which chip type they use internally or where the animal came from.
  3. WPR has no interest in promoting one chip type over another. WPR does recommend the newer 15 digit numeric code for all new chip insertions but any of the major brands can be used in the pet and then registered with WPR
  4. Once registered WPR allows pet owners access to their data at any time. Details can be changed free of charge as often as required. Manufacturers' in-house systems often charge you for the privilege of changing your data, even if you have paid your subscription. The WPR database is designed for widespread national and international use with ability to change data as often as required at no further charge. This might be useful if moving house, going on holiday or leaving your pet with someone else for a while. back to top

What data should I put on the database when I register my pets?
The simple data entry screen will ask you for your contact details and for information about your pet. The most important data are the pets' microchip numbers and your contact numbers so please take care when entering these. They are used if your pet is found by anyone accessing the WPR search facility (registered veterinarians, rescue centres, government pounds etc). Other data is optional but there is space to put details about your pet. For example, you can give a brief physical description and details of any medical problems. If your pet is diabetic it would be very useful for rescue centres to know this quickly. Data is not shared with anyone other than registered veterinarians and rescue facilities. You will not receive spam mail through WPR. back to top

I run an animal rescue facility. How can WPR help?
You can access WPR through your local Internet connection using your unique password and locate the owner of a microchipped pet. If microchips are widely used in your area you are likely to rehome animals quickly and free up space for others. If chips are not widely used in your area, try to encourage the process with pet owners.

The more animals chipped, the more effective the system. WPR may be able to negotiate special rates for microchips or scanners for rescue facilities so you can start microchipping more animals in your area. WPR also makes donations to registered animal facilities for every pet chipped and registered through them. back to top

I run a veterinary clinic. How can we use WPR?
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are essential in the chipping process, both as providers of information to the general public and as the people inserting the chips. Owners of lost pets can be located through your Internet connection. A secure password enables only your authorized staff to access the system. In order to encourage microchipping WPR will reward veterinary clinics with commissions based on the number of pets registering with you as their vet. This can be used to offset the cost of further chips or to subsidize costs of staff involved with giving advice and inserting chips. back to top

What about animals other than dogs and cats?
Many species can be microchipped. Birds, horses, camels, llamas, rabbits, ferrets, snakes, lizards, fish and a range of wildlife have all been successfully microchipped. Very valuable animals are often chipped as a precaution against theft or to prove ownership. back to top

What about wildlife?
Wildlife researchers may use chips in preference to more intrusive tags which can come off. back to top

Can I microchip valuable objects instead of pets?
Yes. You can implant a chip in any object through a small drill hole just big enough to hold the chip. The chip can be sealed in place to act as a permanent unobtrusive source of identification. Valuable antiques and other objects are most often protected in this way but just about anything could be identified by a microchip. Although WPR is designed for animals you can enter any data you choose and relate it to the chip number. back to top

How much does it cost to register my pet with World Pet Register?
It costs one dollar per month to register your pet (less if multiple pets are registered)

A 2-year registration fee is charged. Second and subsequent pets are registered at half price.

First pet - US$24
Each subsequent pet - US$12 back to top

Is the payment procedure secure?
Yes. Credit card payments are processed through WorldPay's secure system. back to top