FAQ
Learn more about the microchipping process by reading the information below.
What is Homeward Bound Pet?
Why register with Homeward Bound Pet?
My pet is lost. What should I do to find him?
Are there any annual fees?
Does my pet have to be microchipped with any certain brand of microchip in order to utilize the Homeward Bound Pet service?
What if my pet is found and I am unreachable at the contact number on file with Homeward Bound Pet?
What if my pet is turned in at a shelter that isn't equipped with a scanner?
My pet always wears a collar with an identification tag. Is microchipping really necessary?
How do I know that my pet's microchip ID number will remain unique to him?
What is a microchip?
How does a microchip work?
How much does the injection cost?
How long does a microchip last?
What is the youngest age a pet can be microchipped?
My pet never leaves my home or yard. Why should he be identified with a microchip?
Does my pet have to be sedated for the injection?
Does the procedure hurt my pet?
Could my pet be allergic to a microchip?
I am planning an international vacation with my pet. What do I need to know?
What is Homeward Bound Pet?
Homeward Bound Pet is an advanced recovery service dedicated to the safety and well-being of your lost pet. Our system is effective when a microchip with a unique ID number is inserted under your pet's skin. This can be done at home or by a veterinarian. The next step is to enroll your pet's microchip in Homeward Bound Pet’s online database, along with a photo and other pertinent info. This is critical to reuniting you immediately with your lost pet once he is found. If your pet is brought to a veterinarian or shelter, they will scan for a microchip. When they search that chip number in the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool, a free service provided by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), our 24/7 Found Pet Hotline number will come up. Live operators will look up your pet’s data and put the finder in touch with you immediately.
Why register with Homeward Bound Pet?
One in three pets will be lost, at least temporarily, during their lifetime. Even pets that live in the house are frequently snatched, or find a way out when very afraid or lonely. Microchipping your pet and registering your contact numbers with that chip are a part of responsible pet ownership today. If your pet disappears, shelters, veterinarians and rescue organizations can access your registration information directly thru this website. Hundreds of thousands of pets are reunited with their owners in this way every year. You can access your account at any time to update emails, phone numbers or other information, keeping Homeward Bound Pet completely current and ready to serve you. Our operators are standing by 24 hours a day, every day, to handle calls from anyone who finds your pet.
My pet is lost. What should I do to find him?
Start a thorough search immediately. Everything you need to know for a successful search effort is right here: click to open. From your pet's page you can also print pre-customized photo flyers and business cards to help in the search effort.
No. Your one-time fee covers your pet for as long as he is with you. If he moves on to a new owner, they will pay the same fee again to re-enroll him with new information.
Does my pet have to be microchipped with any certain brand of microchip in order to utilize the Homeward Bound Pet service?
No. Pets with any brand of microchip may enroll in the Homeward Bound Pet service.
What if my pet is found and I am unreachable at the contact number on file with Homeward Bound Pet?
When you enroll your pet, we will ask you to provide contact information for an alternate, like a relative, close friend, or a veterinarian, in case you are unreachable when your pet is found. Your alternate contact will then be called if you cannot be reached. It is critical that you keep all of your contact information up-to-date with Homeward Bound Pet.
What if my pet is turned in at a shelter that isn't equipped with a scanner?
Virtually all veterinarians and shelters in the U.S. (over 50,000 nationally) are equipped to scan your pet should he become lost. They are all trained to FIRST search the microchip number on the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool, run by AAHA (American Animal Hospital Assoc.). When they search a microchip number that is registered with Homeward Bound Pet, our 24/7 Found Animal Hotline number will appear. One call to us and they will have all the information they need to contact you immediately.
My pet always wears a collar with an identification tag. Is microchipping really necessary?
All pets should wear collar tags with their name and the phone number of their owner or veterinarian. Tags, though, may become worn and impossible to read or may slip off. Collars themselves can break or slip off. Tattooing pets with a number is another method of identifying pets; however, veterinarians and pet rescue experts say tattoos can blur over time, and they can be altered. A microchip is the only form of pet identification that is permanent, with a unique number that cannot be altered or removed.
How do I know that my pet's microchip ID number will remain unique to him?
With all the possible combinations of product codes and ID numbers, there are more than enough numbers to make sure every pet has a completely unique number. These tiny microchips are designed to produce 275 billion different ID numbers. On top of that, microchip manufacturers add unique product codes and manufacturer's codes to identify their microchips. Rest assured, your pet will always have an ID number all his own.
A microchip is a tiny integrated circuit, encapsulated in a biocompatible material. It is capable of relaying information to a handheld scanner of the same frequency. It cannot be tracked by GPS devices or from the air above. It is small enough to fit inside a hypodermic needle and can be injected under the skin of your pet, where it will stay for the life of the animal. This provides a permanent, positive identification that cannot be lost, altered or removed - a safe, simple and inexpensive way to protect your pet against loss or theft.
The microchip contains a unique number - no two animals will ever have the same number. A weak radio signal in the microchip is activated when a microchip reader is held near it. This enables the tiny transponder in the chip to transmit the number to the handheld reading device via electromagnetic current. In addition to the number, the microchip generates a reliability check to guarantee that your pet's identifying number is read accurately.
How much does the injection cost?
The price for implanting a microchip varies from one veterinarian to another, but the average is around $45. Many pet retailers and veterinarians provide a discount if you have the microchip implanted at the time of purchase or while the pet is in for routine grooming, surgery, dental work or vaccinations.
How long does a microchip last?
Once injected under the skin of your pet, the microchip becomes encased by a thin layer of protein that anchors it in place for the rest of the life of your pet. It does not pass through or out of the body. The microchip itself has no power supply to replace or moving parts to wear down. Therefore, it can be expected to last for decades - well beyond the lifespan of most pets. It is also perfectly safe to bury a deceased pet with a microchip intact; there is no active signal unless a chip reader is present, and there are no toxic elements.
What is the youngest age a pet can be microchipped?
Animals of any age can be injected with a microchip. Puppies and kittens are typically identified during their initial vaccine series. Birds, horses and exotics can be identified at any time.
My pet never leaves my home or yard. Why should he be identified with a microchip?
It's wonderful that you are keeping your pet safe, but it only takes one time for the mailman, gardener, meter reader, neighbor or friend to leave the gate open or the door ajar. There's also a possibility that your house could be damaged in a heavy storm, flood, or other natural disaster, causing your pet to run away in fear. Pets can even be stolen - particularly exotics or purebred animals. No matter how closely you watch your favorite animal friend, there's always a chance they can get out, and if they don't have any ID, they will be extremely hard to find.
Does my pet have to be sedated for the injection?
No! Injecting a microchip is just like any other injection or vaccination. Anesthesia is not required or recommended since there is minimal discomfort with the procedure.
Does the procedure hurt my pet?
Not at all. The injection creates only a slight discomfort- most pets don't even react to it. The microchip is encapsulated in a specially formulated biocompatible material created specifically for this kind of application.
Could my pet be allergic to a microchip?
Microchips are inert and biocompatible. There is virtually no chance of the body developing an allergy or trying to reject the microchip after being properly injected.
I am planning an international vacation with my pet. What do I need to know?
The following are some helpful links for determining what you need to do in order to take your pet to another country. National Center for Import and Export (NCIE) A part of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), this organization regulates the import and export of animals in the US. USDA Pet Export Information From the NCIE, this page contains specific information - including general instructions and links to further information - about the procedures for taking pets abroad. Regulations by Country This page contains links to regulations in place in more than 100 countries.