Universal microchip lookup tool available to find lost pets

Lakewood, Colo.

-- For the first time, a new Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool is available to help veterinary hospitals and shelters reunite lost pets with owners by checking participating pet-recovery services’ registries.

Developed by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the free Internet-based resource already is linked with the American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery, HomeAgain by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Petlink by Datamars and resQ by Bayer Animal Health.

More companies are expected to come on board within the next couple of weeks. The tool can be accessed online

.It works by checking the databases of participating pet-recovery services to determine which has registration information available for a microchip. For instance, when a microchip identification number is entered, a list of all the registries with microchip registration information is shown, along with the registries’ contact information in chronological order. The registry with the most recent update appears first. To avoid proprietary, privacy laws and other concerns, pet-owner information is not included.

If the microchip has not been registered with any participating pet-recovery service, the result will default to the microchip’s manufacturer or distributor.

The goal is to streamline the issue of identifying the correct pet-recovery registry.

The Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families endorses the new tool. Members include AAHA, the American Humane Association, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the National Federation of Humane Societies and the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators.