Frequently Asked Questions

A microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. It uses RFID technology (not GPS) to transmit a unique ID when scanned by a vet or shelter. It has no battery and lasts your pet’s lifetime. Watch how a microchip is implanted here.

No. Microchips are not GPS devices. They only store an ID number that can be read by a scanner to identify and reunite your pet if found. Read 5 microchip myths here.

Yes. It’s a simple and safe procedure, similar to a routine vaccine shot, and can be done during a standard vet visit. Watch how it’s done here.

Each microchip has a unique, 9- to 15-digit code that serves as its ID. This number is then linked to your contact information in a secure, AAHA-compliant database like Petkey. When a microchip is scanned, this number is used to access your contact information in the database.

AAHA-compliant means that the microchip registry follows the standards set by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This includes using a universal microchip lookup tool that helps vets and shelters identify which company manufactured or maintains the microchip.

Petkey is AAHA-compliant, meaning it follows the American Animal Hospital Association’s standards to ensure pet microchip information is accessible and reliable for vets and shelters nationwide.

No, microchips do not expire. Once implanted, they are designed to function for the lifetime of the pet. The packaging of the microchip may have an expiration date, but this refers to the sterility of the packaging, not the microchip itself.

Without registration, the microchip is just a number. Petkey links that number to your contact information so you can be contacted if your pet is found. Registration is what makes the microchip a necessity for identification and reunification.

Lookup the microchip number here. If you already have an account, we encourage you to log in and confirm your pet's microchip registration. The online platform will promptly inform you if your pet is registered or needs any services renewed.

You can register any brand of microchip with Petkey here. Simply enroll online.

We charge a one-time fee of $49.95 for a lifetime registration.

Behind every Petkey registration are real, dedicated teams from our U.S.-based headquarters. Your fee supports:

• Live phone support
• Live online chat
• Secure, AAHA-compliant database listings
• Advanced technology to track and reunite lost pets
• Personalized service from the Petkey Team
• Data security and encryption to protect you and your pet’s information
• Ongoing maintenance of critical systems used by vets and shelters nationwide

This fee allows us to continue helping thousands of pets get home safely every year, with our team on hand to assist. Learn more about why we charge a fee here.

To register your pet, you can create an online account through our website here. Alternatively, you can create an account by downloading our Petkey app. Get it on Google Play or the App Store for iPhone.

Absolutely. You can update your contact info or pet photo anytime via your account, free, for the lifetime of the pet.

Your lifetime registration includes:

• Lifetime support to keep your pet protected for life
• Listing in the AAHA-compliant Universal Lookup Tool used by vets and shelters nationwide
• Ability to update your contact info anytime (address, phone, alternate contacts)
• Option to update your pet’s photo to keep their profile accurate and help with identification

Log into your Petkey account, click on "Issue Lost Pet Alert" from your pet’s profile. If you don’t have an account with us you can create a lost pet report here.

As soon as you report your pet missing through your Petkey account, our system is able to activate a 3-step response:

1. Create a ‘lost pet’ poster that can be printed and shared on social media.
2. A lost pet alert can be generated, and your pet’s profile — including photo and description — is shared with shelters, veterinary clinics, pet businesses, and local Petkey members near the last known location. This broad coverage ensures that Petkey’s pet professional community and all the good Samaritans in our database, within a 25-mile radius, are quickly informed and mobilized.
3. You’re notified of sightings and leads immediately and can connect directly with anyone who reports seeing or finding your pet.

Our US-based, customer support team is also on standby to verify keepership and help facilitate reunions.

Yes. You can upload your pet’s most recent photo, update their profile, and include key identifiers (like collar color, behaviors, etc.) before issuing an alert.

Keep your phone, email, and alternate contacts up to date in your account to ensure quick reunification. Log in to your account here.

To ensure your contact information is visible to shelters or vets scanning your pet’s chip, you need to review your privacy settings. If your profile is set to private, your info may not appear, which can delay reunification. To check or update this:

1. Log in to your Petkey account
2. Go to MENU > Privacy Settings
3. Ensure visibility is enabled so your contact details show when your pet’s chip is scanned

A pet microchip is not a GPS tracker. A microchip is a small radio frequency identification device (RFID) that stores a unique number linked to the pet's keeper's information in a database. Your contact information must be kept up to date to ensure you are contactable at all times.

Alerts are sent in real time to:

• Petkey’s local shelters and vet clinics
• Nearby registered Petkey members
• Petkey’s other pet businesses in your area (e.g. groomers, pet stores, boarding facilities)

This broad coverage ensures that Petkey’s pet professional community and all the good Samaritans in our database, within a 25-mile radius, are quickly informed and mobilized.

If found, your pet's chip can be scanned by a vet or shelter and traced through the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Universal Lookup Tool. This allows the pet professional to see which company your pet is registered with to facilitate a reunion. Ensure your registered with us here.

Yes — you’ll be notified immediately if there’s a sighting or recovery lead, and you can communicate directly with the finder to coordinate a reunion.

A Petkey QR tag is a smart ID tag that attaches to your pet’s collar. When scanned, it opens your pet’s profile. Depending on your privacy settings, this may include your pet’s details and your contact information, allowing someone who finds your pet to contact you quickly. We recommend reviewing your privacy settings in your account regularly to ensure the correct information is visible and up to date.

1. Your pet wears the QR tag
2. A finder scans it with their phone camera
3. Your pet’s profile opens instantly
4. They can call you directly with one tap

No app. No login. Works with any smartphone and links to your existing account.

When someone scans your pet’s QR tag, they are taken to your pet’s Petkey profile. Depending on your privacy settings, this may include:

• Your pet’s name and basic details
• Your contact information
• A one-tap call button to contact you quickly

We recommend reviewing your privacy settings and profile information regularly to ensure the correct details are visible and up to date.

No. QR tags work with any smartphone camera, nothing to download or install.

Yes. Your QR tag links to your Petkey profile, so you can update your contact details anytime, as many times as you need, without replacing the tag.

No. QR tags can be used as a standalone ID tag, even if your pet’s microchip is registered with another provider. If you already have a Petkey registration, the tag automatically links to your existing account.

• Shows full contact details instantly (not just a phone number)
• One-tap call, no typing needed
• Always up to date, no need to replace if details change
• Doesn’t fade or wear like engraved text

No. QR tags don’t provide live tracking. They enable instant, visible identification and contact when your pet is found.

Yes. Petkey QR tags are designed for everyday use, water-resistant, and available in metal or plastic options.

A microchip works when a pet is taken to a vet or shelter.
A QR tag works immediately when someone finds your pet.
Using both means:

• Faster contact (QR tag)
• Guaranteed, permanent identification (microchip and registration)

That combination gives your pet the best chance of getting home quickly.

Our teams work hard and your products will be shipped the next working day. We understand how important this item is to you, and we’ll be sure to send a confirmation email as soon as your order ships.

Silidog QR Tags are custom-made and shipped separately from your other Petkey items. Once your tag has been produced, you’ll receive a confirmation email with shipping details. Delivery times may differ slightly from the rest of your order.

Upon successful completion of your transaction, you will receive a purchase confirmation email. This email will serve as validation of your order going through successfully. Please keep an eye on your inbox for this confirmation. (Please check your junk mail, just in case)

Personalized products do not include a tracking number. Your order items are shipped via USPS.

Sometimes, items in your order ship separately from different warehouses or suppliers to get your products to you faster. If you’ve received only part of your order, don’t worry, the remaining items are on their way, and you’ll be notified when they ship.

Personalized products are custom-made specifically for your order and may not be eligible for cancellation once production has begun. For inquiries about cancelling an order, please refer to our Terms of Service - https://petkey.org/TermsOfService. If you require further assistance or have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our customer support team for guidance and support.

Our U.S.-based team is available by email, live chat, or phone to help with reunions, updates, or questions.

Sorry you’re having trouble! Please check that the promo code is entered exactly as provided—no extra spaces or typos. Also, make sure the code:

• Hasn’t expired
• Is valid for the items or services in your cart
• Hasn’t already been used (if it’s a one-time use code)

If you’ve confirmed all this and still have issues, please contact our support team for help.

We are truly sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pet. Please log in to your online account, where you can update your pet’s status within the pet’s profile accordingly.

If your pet isn’t showing in your account, it’s possible you may have multiple accounts. Duplicate accounts can cause confusion and prevent you from seeing the correct pet information. Please check if you’ve registered under another email or contact our support team for assistance in merging accounts or locating your pet’s profile.

For information regarding registration cancellations, please review our Terms of Service at Petkey Terms of Service. If you need additional assistance, please contact our support team at 734-600-3463.

Please visit Petkey Terms of Service.

Yes — anytime through your secure online account. Keeping your details up to date ensures we can reach you quickly if your pet is found. This is free for the lifetime of the pet.
Please note: for security purposes, email address changes cannot be completed online. To update your email address, please contact our team at 734-600-3463 for assistance.

Your username is usually your email address and is case sensitive.

• If you forgot your password, click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page to reset it.
• If you’re already logged in and want to change your password, go to https://petkey.org/Member/Edit to update it securely.

To update your email address, please give us a call at 734-600-3463, and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.

To remove someone from your account, log in and select the "Edit" option on your account for updates. This feature allows you the flexibility to manage account details efficiently and make necessary adjustments as needed.

Yes. When transferring your pet's microchip registration, it is crucial to ensure that all information is updated accurately to reflect the new keeper's details.

1. Log in to your account.
2. On the home page, enter your pet’s microchip number in the search bar and click “Submit.”
3. On the next screen, click “Request Transfer.”
5. Follow the prompts to update the new keeper’s details.

By following these simple steps, you can swiftly update your pet's microchip registration with the correct information.
Alternatively, contact our team at 734-600-3463 to initiate a transfer.

This fee is put towards covering the costs of providing services related to pet recovery, such as:

• Live, US-based phone support
• Live, US-based online chat available
• Secure, AAHA-compliant database listings
• Advanced technology to track and reunite lost pets
• Personalized service from the Petkey Team
• Data security and encryption to protect you and your pet’s information
• Ongoing maintenance of critical systems used by vets and shelters nationwide

This fee allows us to continue helping thousands of pets get home safely every year, with our team on hand to assist whenever you need us.

Petkey can still protect your pet by assigning a unique ID and creating a profile with your emergency contact information. Register today. You can also add other pet IDs, such as ID cards, collar tags, personalized collars, and leashes along the way!

Yes. Tags can fall off or become outdated. A microchip is a permanent, tamper-proof ID that works 24/7, even if your pet’s collar is missing.

Yes, Petkey is a trusted and AAHA-compliant, national pet microchip registry that has helped reunite hundreds of thousands of lost pets with their families since 2006. We operate from our U.S.-based headquarters in Michigan with live, dedicated, US support.

No. Petkey is a legitimate, national, pet microchip registry and lost pet recovery service. We work directly with veterinarians, shelters, and pet professionals nationwide to ensure pets can be identified and reunited with their families when they become lost.

Yes, Petkey is AAHA-compliant, meaning it is recognized in the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool used daily by animal control, veterinary clinics and shelters nationwide.

You can look up your pet’s microchip number anytime here. The tool will let you know the microchips status and, if unregistered, it will allow you to register it with Petkey.

Yes. Petkey accepts registrations for any brand of microchip.