Microchips have been particularly useful in the return of lost pets. They can also assist where the ownership of an animal is in dispute.

Animal shelters and animal control centers benefit from this procedure by more quickly and efficiently returning pets to their owners.

When a pet can be quickly matched to its owner, the shelter avoids the expense of housing, feeding, providing medical care, and out-placing or euthanizing the pet.

This procedure is becoming increasingly standard at shelters: many require all out-placed animals to receive a chip put just under the skin, and provide the service as part of the adoption package.

In addition to shelters and veterinarians, these chips are used by kennels, breeders, brokers, trainers, registries, rescue groups, humane societies, clinics, farms, stables, animal clubs and associations, researchers and pet stores. Animal control officers are also trained and equipped to scan animals.

Several countries require a this chip when importing an animal, as a proof that the animal and the vaccination record belong together.

Tagging may also be required for CITES-regulated international trade in certain rare animals.

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