After a move, update your pet’s contact details with the registry that holds the microchip record, then replace the pet’s collar tag with current information. A microchip stores a unique identification number—not your address or phone number—and the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool helps identify registry contacts; it does not change your account for you.
What changes when you move—and what does not
A microchip is a permanent form of identification, but it is not a live contact card. The chip contains a unique ID number. Contact details such as your phone number and address are held in a registry record associated with that number. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises pet owners to update that record as soon as possible after a move or other contact change.
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There is no single U.S. database that automatically synchronizes every pet’s microchip information. Multiple registries maintain records, and changing details with one does not necessarily change information held by another. Paige Andersen, DVM, managing partner of AAHA-accredited TimberCreek Veterinary Hospital, puts the responsibility plainly: “It’s the owner’s responsibility to make sure that information is up to date.”
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That means you need to find the registry or registries connected to your pet’s chip, make the updates through their own processes, and keep a visible ID tag current as well.
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Update the records after a move: step by step
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Find the microchip number
Check your pet’s adoption, veterinary, or microchip paperwork for the chip number. If you cannot find it, ask a veterinarian to scan your pet and provide the number. Keep the number with your pet’s records once you have it.
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Identify the registry
Enter the chip number in the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. The lookup can return registry names and contact information, and it may show more than one registry. If you do not have the number or need help with the scan, your veterinarian can help identify it.
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The AAHA tool is a directory, not an account-update portal: it does not change your address or contact details. You must contact the registry itself.
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Update each applicable registry record
Contact each registry identified that has your pet’s registration information. Follow that registry’s instructions to update your address, phone number, email address, and any other contact fields it allows. If you have moved but kept your phone number, check the other details too; a changed address or email can still make it harder to reach you.
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Registry procedures, available contact methods, and fees can vary. The lookup results identify whom to contact, but the registry is the source for its current account process and terms.
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Check that the change went through
Follow the registry’s own confirmation process and verify that the updated details appear as expected. There is no single confirmation method that applies to every registry. Keep the chip number, registry name, and relevant account details with your pet’s records so you can find them again.
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Replace the visible ID tag
Put a collar tag on your pet with current contact information, including a phone number where you can be reached. AAHA’s moving guidance recommends preparing a tag with the new address and replacing the old tag after the move. A tag is useful visible identification, but it does not replace updating the registry.
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If you cannot find the registry or the record
- No chip number in your paperwork: Ask a veterinarian to scan your pet and give you the number, then use the AAHA lookup tool.
- The lookup lists multiple registries: Contact the registry or registries that hold your pet’s information. Do not assume an update at one registry will update another.
- You are unsure whether the update is complete: Use the registry’s stated process to check the record or contact the registry directly. The lookup tool supplies contact information; it does not verify or edit your account details.
- You do not know whether the chip is detectable: Ask your veterinarian to scan it. The AVMA advises asking for a scan at least once a year to confirm the chip works and can be detected.
Moving outside the United States
The steps above describe the U.S. registry process. If you are relocating to another country, ask your veterinarian and the relevant destination authority what local identification, registration, or import requirements apply. Do not assume a U.S. registry update alone fulfills another country’s requirements.
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- LONG-LASTING LASER ENGRAVING: Each engraved dog tag features crisp double-sided engraving with up to 4 lines per side, helping keep contact information easy to read for lasting everyday use.
- DURABLE ANODIZED ALUMINUM: Made from scratch-resistant anodized aluminum, the pet tags are built for daily wear while remaining lightweight and comfortable on your pet's collar.
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Why both the registry record and tag matter
A registry entry connects the chip number to contact information; a collar tag gives someone who finds your pet a visible way to reach you. Keeping both current provides two routes to your updated details. As Tom Sharp, whom AAHA identifies as president and CEO of the nonprofit microchip registry AKC Reunite, explains: “If the microchip is not enrolled, it’s like having a Social Security card with no name on it.”
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