Before the storm: check your pet's ID, not just the go-bag
Storms, outages and evacuations are when pets bolt through doors that are normally shut. If yours goes missing, the next hours depend on whether a stranger can reach you. A short ID check on a calm day covers most of it.
A microchip is only a number
The AVMA explains that a microchip holds a unique ID number and nothing else. A scanner reads the number, and the registry linked to it supplies your details. The AVMA also warns that if the contact information is incomplete or out of date, a lost pet might not be returned to you even after the chip is scanned. Chips cannot slip off like a collar, but the AVMA still recommends a collar with current ID, such as a license tag, rabies tag and a personalized tag.
Check the registry, not just the chip
The AVMA marks August 15 as Check the Chip Day, a yearly reminder to review the contact information on file. If you missed it, any calm day works. If you do not know which registry holds your pet's number, the AVMA points to the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup tool, or you can ask your vet. If you do not know the number, your vet can scan the pet, and the AVMA suggests asking for a scan at routine checkups to confirm the chip is present and working.
Add a contact from outside your area
Ready.gov recommends keeping your address and phone number current with the chip and including an emergency contact outside your immediate area, which helps when local phone lines or power are down. Its kit list also asks for a collar with an ID tag, a harness or leash plus a backup set, and copies of registration papers in a waterproof container and available electronically.
Keep a photo of the two of you
Ready.gov suggests a picture of you with your pet in the kit. If you are separated, the photo helps document ownership and lets others help identify your animal. Note where your pets tend to hide, too, so you can find them quickly if you have to leave.
Questions about this guide
My dog wears a collar with a tag. Is a chip still needed?
The AVMA says a chip is permanent identification that cannot be lost or removed like a collar or tag, and recommends pets with chips wear a collar and current ID as well. Each covers a gap in the other.
How do I find out which registry has my pet's chip?
The AVMA says that if you know the chip number you can use the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup tool, or ask your veterinarian. If you do not know the number, your vet can scan the pet to find it.