How Microchip Registration and Pet Insurance Work Together to Protect Pets

National Pet Insurance Month is all about being ready for life’s surprises. If you’ve ever had a pet slip out the door, dart through a gate, or disappear during a storm, you know how fast panic sets in.

The good news? With a little planning, you can turn that panic into preparedness. Two of the most powerful tools to have in your back pocket are a microchip that’s registered with up-to-date contact information and a pet insurance plan that covers the unexpected. We’ve partnered with Petkey, a nationwide microchip registry and recovery service, to help give our customers peace of mind in any situation.

Think Beyond the “Big Stuff”

When we talk about keeping pets safe, most people think of vaccines, food, regular vet care, and training. Those are all essential, but the truth is, it’s often the small, overlooked steps that make the biggest difference in an emergency.

• A registered microchip: A microchip is like an invisible, permanent lifeline between you and your pet. Once it’s registered, it quietly stands by 24/7, ready to spring into action the moment your pet is scanned at a shelter, vet clinic, or animal control office. Unlike a collar or tag, it can’t fall off, fade, or be removed, making it the most reliable form of identification your pet can have. Without that registration, though, the chip is just a number and that vital lifeline disappears.
• A solid pet insurance plan: This gives you freedom to act quickly on medical decisions without waiting to check your wallet. When a lost pet comes home, the story isn’t always over. They may need emergency care for injuries, dehydration, or illness picked up while they were on their own. Pet insurance allows you to make decisions based on what’s best for your pet.

When used together, these two steps create a safety chain that connects a lost pet back to their family and helps cover any care required. 

How Prepared Are You?

National Pet Insurance Month is a great time to do a five-minute “readiness check”:

• Register your pet’s microchip: If your pet has been microchipped but you never completed their registration, now is the time. A chip without registration is like an unlisted phone number; no one can reach you if your pet is found. Visit Petkey today and make sure your chip is properly registered.

Unsure? Check by just entering their microchip number here. 

• Confirm your details: Even a registered microchip can’t help if the phone number connected to it is outdated. Keep your contact info updated, before an emergency, not after.
• Know your policy: Review your Fetch Pet Insurance coverage so there are no surprises if an emergency visit is needed.

Why Timing Matters

Lost pets often face risks: traffic accidents, heatstroke, exposure to cold, or even altercations with wildlife. If your pet is reunited quickly, usually thanks to a microchip, those risks (and resulting medical costs) drop dramatically. And when something does happen, pet insurance helps you focus on treatment instead of costs.

A Real-Life Example

Rocky was reunited through his microchip!

“A kind mother and daughter found Rocky on the streets in North Miami. They took him to a local Humane Society, where they were able to contact me after scanning his microchip. Thank you soooooo much, Petkey,
Our pup baby is home!”

Visit Petkey now to learn more.