When it comes to keeping your pet safe, we all think about the big stuff — vet visits, vaccines, even pet insurance for life’s “what-ifs.” But one of the simplest and most effective tools for bringing a lost pet home is often overlooked: microchipping and registration.
At Fetch, we work with several trusted tagging partners, and today we’re spotlighting Petkey, a nationwide microchip registry and recovery service. Microchipping isn’t just tech — it’s peace of mind.
A microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, placed under your pet’s skin (usually between the shoulder blades). It doesn’t track your pet’s location — instead, it holds a unique ID number that can be read by a scanner at animal shelters, clinics, and vet offices.
That ID connects to your contact info — but only if the chip is registered.
One common misconception is that your vet automatically registers the chip. In reality, that’s often a separate step — and one that falls to you as the pet parent.
Without registration, the chip is just a number. If your pet gets lost and scanned, there’s no way to contact you — even if they’re only a few blocks from home.
Even if your pet wears a collar (which is great!), tags can fall off or be removed. Microchips provide a permanent, secure ID that stays with your pet for life — a critical backup if their collar goes missing.
Registration isn’t just data entry — it connects your pet to a nationwide recovery system.
Petkey is part of the AAHA Universal Microchip Lookup Tool — the system used by vets and shelters across the U.S. Their support team is available 7 days a week to help verify ownership and assist in reunions. They can even send out local lost pet alerts to shelters, clinics, and nearby Petkey members.
Microchips help bring your pet home. Pet insurance helps care for them once they’re back. Together, they give you confidence, protection, and peace of mind:
Whether your pet is newly adopted or a longtime companion, it’s a good time to check that their chip is registered — and that your contact info is up to date.
At Fetch, we’re here to support smart, proactive pet parenting — and partnering with companies like Petkey helps make that possible.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
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