We are looking for qualified veterinarians to add to our team. We would love for you to apply on our Careers page!

What is the Best Pet Microchip Registry?

a picture of a dog getting a microchip with a blog title that reads, "What is the best microchip registry?"
Picture of Dr. Rick Coufal, DVM

Dr. Rick Coufal, DVM

Dr. Rick Coufal is the founder and lead veterinarian for Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic. Coufal graduated from State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in May of 2000.

Your furry friend is family, so it’s important to do everything you can to keep them safe. One way to do that is to microchip and register them with a pet microchip registry. That way, if your pet ever gets lost, there’s a better chance of them being returned to you. If you haven’t microchipped your dog or cat before, you’re probably unfamiliar with the process and may be wondering, “What is the best pet microchip registry?”

At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, a vet in Colorado Springs, we know how much love you have for your pet. That is why our veterinary staff is committed to providing the best vet care and education so you can make the best decisions for your beloved animal companions. There are many pet microchip registries to choose from, each with its own benefits. To help you make the right decision for your dog or cat, we’ve compiled a list of the top pet microchip registries, including their fees, services, and any extra offerings.

a picture of a dog's microchip getting scanned

24Petwatch

This microchip registry offers a lifetime protection membership plan and an annual subscription plan. The lifetime protection plan is $99.95 and includes perks, such as a 24/7 vet helpline, access to lost pet specialists, and coupons.

The annual subscription plan is $19.95 per year ($49.95 the first year) and includes many of the same benefits as the lifetime protection plan, such as a pet portal and 24/7 access to recovery specialists.

24Petwatch also offers pet insurance for owners looking for added protection.

ACA MARRS

The American Canine Association Microchip Animal Rapid Recovery Services (ACA MARRS) is a microchip registry that allows pet parents to store their contact information and their veterinarian’s contact information. This way, if your pet is ever lost, the finder can easily get in touch with you and your vet.

There is a single lifetime enrollment fee of $19.95 when you register your pet with ACA MARRS. One benefit of these microchips is their ability to be read by any universal scanner. Not to mention, you can expect 24/7 customer support if you ever have any questions or need help finding your dog or cat. ACA MARRS is part of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) microchip lookup database, which is a popular database among veterinarians throughout the U.S.

AKC Reunite

The American Kennel Club (AKC) microchip registry, AKC Reunite, offers a lifetime enrollment that includes 24/7 support from lost pet specialists and a recovery database that is searched by shelters and veterinary clinics nationwide.

The single lifetime enrollment fee for AKC Reunite is only $19.50, making it a cost-effective option for pet owners. If you are looking for additional services, AKC Reunite also offers lost pet alerts, access to a pet poison helpline, and engraved collar tags. 

BeKind PetFind

This microchip registry offers a lifetime membership which includes 24/7 customer support and the ability to store your contact information. Your first pet is $24.95 whereas it’s $14.95 for each additional pet. Your pet will also be sent a brass collar tag that includes the recovery hotline for BeKind PetFind

Plus, BeKind PetFind is the only national pet registry that allows pet owners to register every type of pet ID. That includes pet microchips, tattoos, license numbers, rabies tag numbers, and bird bands.

BuddyID

With BuddyID, you can register your pet’s microchip for life. For an enrollment fee of $26.95, you’ll get an owner certificate, a mobile member card, free access to a pet training app, SearchAlert services, and a pet insurance discount.

If you are looking for microchipping services for horses, you can also register your horse’s microchip with BuddyID. For a one-time fee of $24.95, you’ll get a single place to store all of your documents — such as proof of ownership — as well as SearchAlert services and more.

Furreka

Furreka offers free lifetime microchip registry services. All microchips are listed in the AAHA’s microchip lookup database. If you are looking to microchip your dog or cat, Furreka also sells pet microchip kits online that include a sterile microchip for you or your veterinarian to administer.

a picture of a puppy getting a microchip

HomeAgain

HomeAgain is a pet microchip and recovery service that offers annual membership plans with various features and benefits. The standard plan is $19.99 per year and includes 24/7 access to lost pet specialists, online owner account management, and the ability to store your contact information.

For an extra fee, you can also add on a pet insurance discount, access to a vet hotline, lost pet alerts, travel assistance for lost pets, and more. This premium plan is $21.99 annually. HomeAgain also offers additional products, such as collar tags.

Homeward Bound Pet

Homeward Bound Pet offers a lifetime microchip registry for $20. With this service, you’ll get 24/7 pet specialist support and the ability to store your contact information. You can also buy a microchip scanner and microchips on their website.

National Animal Identification Center (NAIC)

The National Animal Identification Center (NAIC) is a microchip registry that allows pet parents to store their contact information. There is a single lifetime enrollment fee of $15 when you register your pet with NAIC. Once you register your furry friend, you’ll receive access to their pet recovery database and helpline.

PetKey

PetKey offers a lifetime microchip registry for $45 or $19.99 yearly. With this service, you’ll get 24/7 customer support and lost pet alerts. For additional fees, you can add on features to keep your pet extra protected.

You can also list your pet for free on their lost and found pet recovery database. Pet owners can list their pet’s name, breed, age, coloring, microchip number, last known location, and more. If you are looking for personalized ID tags or cards, you can also purchase them with PetKey.

PetLink

PetLink offers a lifetime microchip registry for $19.95. However, if you have a PetLink chip, you will be able to register your pet’s microchip for free. With PetLink, you’ll get 24/7 pet recovery services and the ability to store your contact information. You can also purchase other products like pet insurance, custom tags, collars, and more.

Save This Life

This microchip registry allows you to register your pet’s chip for a lifetime membership that costs $19.99. If you have a Save This Life microchip, you can register for free. You’ll also get the ability to speak with a live operator 24/7, 365 days a year.

The best part of Save This Life microchips is their partnership with Google. If someone searches your pet’s microchip, they can privately contact you, the owner, via text or email. The owner will also receive a GPS map of where their pet is located.

You can also enroll your pet in a pet insurance program to receive coverage for up to $1,000 in emergency vet care.

Final Thoughts on Microchipping Your Pet

As you can see, there are many different microchip registries available, each with its own set of features and benefits. It’s important to choose the right one for you and your pet. Consider your needs and budget when making your decision. We hope this article has helped you in your search for the best pet microchip registry. Microchipping and registering your pet is an important step in ensuring their safety and well-being.

a picture of a kid lying down with his dog

Microchip Your Pet with Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic

Microchipping your dog or cat is a vital part of responsible pet ownership! A pet microchip is one of the best ways to ensure that your lost pet is returned home safely. Remember that if you decide to microchip your pet, you must also register the microchip with a microchip registry.

At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we want to make sure your pet is as safe as possible. That’s why we offer microchipping services for all of our clients. We can schedule a pet microchipping appointment, or if your pet is already coming in for a spay or neuter, our team is happy to microchip them at this time, too. If you have any questions about the importance of microchipping your pet or the best pet microchip registry, contact us today!

Share This Post

a picture of a vet clinic

we are hiring vets!

Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is seeking an enthusiastic and caring veterinarian to work relief, part-time or full-time in our general practice. PVC is a full-service, 3+ doctor, small-animal veterinary hospital. We have established an excellent reputation for developing lasting relationships with our clients and for providing compassionate and quality care to our patients.