The Most Common Reasons Lost Pets Can’t Be Reunited With Their Owners

Few things are more upsetting than a pet going missing. Thankfully, microchipping has dramatically improved the chances of lost pets finding their way home. However, there are still situations where reunions are delayed or don’t happen as quickly as they could.

As part of National Microchipping Month, Milton Keynes Veterinary Group is highlighting some of the most common reasons this occurs—and how you can avoid them.

Outdated Contact Details

This is by far the most common issue.

Many pets are microchipped as puppies or kittens, but owners later move house or change phone numbers and forget to update their microchip records. When a lost pet is scanned at Milton Keynes Veterinary Group or another practice, the information may no longer lead to the correct owner.

The Pet Isn’t Registered Correctly

Sometimes a pet has been microchipped, but the registration process was never completed or contains errors. This can make it difficult to identify the owner.

Ownership Has Changed

When pets are rehomed, sold or adopted, ownership details should be transferred on the microchip database. If this step is missed, the previous owner’s information may still be linked to the chip.

The Pet Isn’t Wearing Identification

While microchips are essential, collars and ID tags can also help members of the public quickly contact owners when a pet is found.

Prevention Is Better Than Panic

The good news is that these issues are usually easy to prevent. Taking a few minutes to check your pet’s microchip details can significantly improve the chances of a quick reunion should they ever go missing.

Milton Keynes Veterinary Group encourages all pet owners to use National Microchipping Month as a reminder to check their records and keep their pets protected.

If you’d like us to scan your pet’s microchip or answer any questions about registration, our team at Milton Keynes Veterinary Group is always happy to help.