Microchips pose one of the best solutions for reuniting pet owners with their lost dogs and cats. When a pet with a microchip is scanned, the pet owner’s contact information is available.
This information helps you connect with your pet if somebody finds him or her. Your dog can be scanned, and a microchip will tell the scanner who owns the dog and how to return him or her.
Many pet owners receive an animal from a friend or adopt from a local shelter, which leads them to ask, “What should I do if my dog has a microchip from a previous owner?” If your pet already has a microchip from its former owner, all hope is not lost.
There are ways you can update the information associated with the microchip to increase the chances you will find your pet if he or she becomes lost.
If your dog goes missing, it is critical that the information associated with the microchip is up to date to avoid losing your pet.
Typically, this involves updating a form on file with the company responsible for managing the chip, but things can become difficult if you are not in contact with your pet’s former owner.
If you are unsure how to transfer ownership of your pet and update the microchip, there are some steps you need to take to ensure you can be reunited with your pet.
Can I Change Microchip Details Without the Previous Owner?
Your pet may already have a microchip, but you want to make sure that the contact information does not direct the finder to the previous owner.
Getting the information from a pet’s microchip is much easier when you have access to the pet’s previous owners, but in many situations, this is not possible. You may not know how to reach the previous owners, or you may have adopted the dog from a shelter.
It is even possible the previous owner is deceased or otherwise unreachable.
Whether you found an abandoned dog or you adopted a dog from an animal shelter, you can bring your pet to a veterinarian or local animal control facility.
This will provide information about the company that provided the microchip. With this information from the chip, you may be able to change the details without consulting with the previous owner, especially if they are difficult to contact.
In order to change your pet’s microchip information, you need to know which company is associated with the chip.
A shelter or vet can provide the required chip company and the microchip number.
You may not be able to log in to the account via the web if you don’t know the password, but you may be able to call the company for more information.
They may ask for documentation confirming that you own the dog or they may try to contact the previous owners on your behalf.
How Do You Change Ownership Of A Microchipped Dog?
If you want to change the contact information associated with your pet’s microchip, you will need the microchip number.
The microchip number will be associated with a specific company, and you need to be able to access the company’s website to remove the previous address and add your own.
You will likely need clearance from that company to remove the information belonging to the old owner if the shelter did not give you the login information.
Generally, a vet or a shelter can scan the chip and tell you which company you need to contact based on the unique code used with the microchip.
If you are struggling to add your information, you can contact the company. The company will also have access to the chip number, which they can then use to identify your pet and make changes as necessary.
Once you know which company to contact, you can use their phone number or website to contact them.
In some cases, the company must contact the previous owner to confirm a change in ownership and ensure the pet is not stolen. Then, you will fill out a form with your own contact information.
Can You Deactivate A Microchip In A Dog From Its Previous Owner?
Generally, you cannot deactivate a microchip that was already placed. The microchip is going to have some information associated with it, and it is better if the information is up to date so that you can be contacted if your pet is found.
In fact, there are no benefits to deactivating a chip. Microchips simply provide contact information and are not used to track the pet’s location, so there is no risk associated with keeping the chip in place.
Some people want to know if a microchip can be removed from a dog. Generally, microchips are not removed after they are placed. The process of removing a microchip would involve surgery, and it could be a risky procedure with a lengthy recovery time.
In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend placing a second chip if you are absolutely not able to contact the previous owner. Unfortunately, this is not always the best solution because the old information may still appear when the pet is scanned.
This can make matters a little more confusing, and changing the address associated with the chip is much easier.
Conclusion
So, what is the best thing for you to do if your dog has a microchip from a previous owner? Ideally, you should have your pet scanned so that you can get the information you need to contact the company responsible for the chip. You will then be able to update the contact information so your address is current and a happy reunion can take place.
