For Pet Owners, Vets & Shelters
Identify a Pet Microchip by Its Number
Microchip numbers can provide important clues about a chip's manufacturer or original distributor. This guide covers common microchip formats found in the U.S., their operating frequencies, associated registries, and recovery-service contact numbers.
There Are Fewer Microchip Manufacturers Than Distributors
There are fewer actual microchip manufacturers than there are companies that distribute and support them.
What consumers often call a "microchip company" may actually be a Pet Recovery Service provider—an organization that distributes microchips, maintains pet registration records, and helps veterinarians, shelters and finders reconnect lost pets with their owners.
A microchip itself contains only an identification number. It does not contain the owner's name, telephone number, address or medical records. Those records are maintained separately by a registry or recovery service.
Why Microchip Numbers and Prefixes Matter
Today's ISO-standard microchips use 15-digit numeric identification numbers, while millions of older numeric and alphanumeric microchips remain in circulation.
Certain prefixes and number formats can provide clues about a chip's manufacturer or original distributor.
Because multiple manufacturers, distributors and legacy chip formats remain in use, a prefix should be treated as a starting point for identification—not proof of where a pet is currently registered.
Peeva's Promise
Bring Your Lost Pet Home Faster
A microchip is only useful when it connects the person who finds your pet to the information needed to bring them home.
Peeva combines microchip registration, lost-pet recovery tools, notifications and support in one system.
Microchip Number Lookup: Identify the Chip by Prefix
Match the first digits or format of the microchip number to the table below to help identify its likely brand or distributor, operating frequency, associated registry and contact number.
| Chip Format | Brand / Distributor | # of Digits | Frequency | Registry | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
982XXXXXXXXXXXX9A1XXXXXXX0A1XXXXXXX |
24 PetWatch | 15 (numeric) 10 (alphanumeric) 10 (alphanumeric) |
134.2 kHz 125 kHz 128 kHz |
24 PetWatch | 866.597.2424 |
956XXXXXXXXXXXX4XXXXXXXXXTVNXXXXXXX |
AKC Reunite | 15 (numeric) 10 (alphanumeric) 9 (alphanumeric) |
134.2 kHz 128 kHz 125 kHz |
AKC Reunite | 800.252.7894 |
977XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX*XXX*XXX |
AVID | 15 (numeric) 10 (numeric) 9 (alphanumeric) |
134.2 kHz 128 kHz 125 kHz |
AVID | 800.336.2843 |
981010000XXXXXX981XXXXXXXXXXXX98102000XXXXXXX0D0DXXXXXX |
Bayer, Banfield, Datamars, Microfindr, ResQ | 15 (numeric) 10 (alphanumeric) |
134.2 kHz 128 kHz |
PetLink | 877.738.5465 |
7E1XXXXXXX |
Microchip ID Systems | 10 (alphanumeric) | 128 kHz | Buddy ID | 800.434.2843 |
985XXXXXXXXXXXX4XXXXXXXXX |
HomeAgain | 15 (numeric) 10 (numeric) |
134.2 kHz 128 kHz |
HomeAgain | 888.466.3242 |
991XXXXXXXXXXXX900XXXXXXXXXXXX990XXXXXXXXXXXX992XXXXXXXXXXXX |
Peeva (Arf ID) | 15 (numeric) | 134.2 kHz | Peeva | 833.733.8226 |
941XXXXXXXXXXXX |
Petkey | 15 (numeric) | 134.2 kHz | Petkey | 734.600.3463 |
Have the full number? Search it in the Peeva Microchip Lookup, or learn how to find your pet's microchip number.
Want to share this guide?
Download a printable reference for your veterinary hospital, shelter, rescue, animal-control facility or front desk.
A Prefix Match Does Not Mean the Pet Is Registered
A microchip prefix or number-range match can help identify the likely manufacturer or original distributor of a microchip.
A registration match means that a recovery service has a registration record associated with that particular microchip number.
Those are not the same thing.
If you're trying to reunite a found pet with its owner, use the entire microchip number to search available pet-recovery registries rather than relying on the prefix alone.
Why 981 Microchips Can Be Harder to Identify
Several microchip brands and distributors have historically used numbers beginning with 981.
Because multiple brands may share the same general number range, the first three digits alone may not identify the specific distributor or tell you where the pet's current registration is maintained.
That's why the complete microchip number matters.
Why Some Microchips Are Harder to Identify
The U.S. has accumulated decades of microchip technology. Older pets may carry 9- or 10-character chips operating at different frequencies, while modern ISO-standard chips generally use a 15-digit numeric identifier.
Manufacturers have also supplied chips to multiple distributors and recovery services over time. As a result, the number displayed by a scanner doesn't always tell the whole story.
The process is simple:
- Scan the pet
- Record the complete microchip number
- Identify the likely source
- Search for the pet's registration
- Contact the appropriate recovery service
Registries We Work With
For all intents and purposes, getting a found pet home often means working with more than one pet recovery service. These are the registries and recovery services Peeva has interacted with.
More regularly
- 24 PetWatch / PetPlace
- AKC Reunite
- AVID
- HomeAgain
- Petkey
- PetLink
- Save This Life
At least once
- Homeward Bound
- Petstablished
- Furreka
- EIDAP
- Buddy ID
- Fi
- Identrac
Why Register With Peeva?
Register Any Microchip Brand
Already have a microchip? You don't need another one. Enroll your pet's existing microchip with Peeva regardless of brand or manufacturer.
Instant Scan Notifications
When your pet's microchip is scanned through the Peeva network, receive an immediate notification with information about the scanning location.
24/7/365 Support
Peeva's recovery service is available around the clock to help reunite lost pets with their families.
Pet Medical Records
Keep important pet health and medical information connected to your Peeva account so it can be available when it's needed.
Lifetime Protection
Keep your pet's registration and owner information current throughout your pet's life.
SOS Pet Alerts
When your pet goes missing, send an alert containing your pet's identifying information to pet professionals throughout the surrounding area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a microchip contain my contact information?
No. A microchip contains a unique identification number. Owner information is maintained separately in a registration database.
Can I identify a microchip company from its number?
Often you can identify the likely manufacturer or original distributor from the prefix and number format. Some number ranges, however, have been used by multiple brands or distributors.
Does matching a prefix mean the pet is registered?
No. A prefix match identifies the likely origin of the chip. Registration must be determined using the complete microchip number.
Why do some microchips have 9, 10 or 15 characters?
Different microchip technologies and standards have been used in the U.S. over time. Older chips may use numeric or alphanumeric formats, while modern ISO-standard chips generally contain 15 numeric digits.
What microchip prefixes are associated with Peeva?
The current Peeva reference guide lists 991, 900, 990 and 992 15-digit ranges under Peeva/Arf ID.
Can I register another company's microchip with Peeva?
Yes. Peeva registration can be used with an existing microchip regardless of its original brand or manufacturer.
Protect Your Pet Today
Register Your Pet's Microchip With Peeva
Already chipped? You don't need a new microchip.
Register your pet's existing chip, keep your contact information current, and add Peeva's recovery tools and support.
