Microchipping your dog is like buying insurance...it gives you peace of mind knowing that if something were to go wrong, then you have some protection. If your dog were to escape from your backyard, dart away from the dog park, or slip his collar on a walk, then he might not have his dog tags with him. He can be identified by the information stored on the tiny microchip embedded just under his skin. Most animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and animal control officers have hand-held scanners that can read the information on the chip. There are only a few companies that produce the microchip for doggie identification. Here are the Top 5 Dog Microchip Companies.

5.  Schering-Plough By HomeAgain

An advantage of the Schering-Plough microchip by HomeAgain is that the microchip can be read by any pet scanner. The 134.2 kHZ chip is patented by Bio-Bond to have universal scanning capabilities and anti-migration technologies so the microchip stays where it was implanted—between the dog’s shoulder blades. The microchip identification number is registered with HomeAgain’s national pet recovery database, along with a photograph of your dog and your contact information. A HomeAgain membership also includes a few extra perks, such as 24-hour access to an emergency pet medical help hotline, staffed by veterinarians.

4. 24 Pet Watch By Allflex

Inserting a 24 Pet Watch microchip by Allflex is a quick and painless procedure that can make a huge difference if your pet becomes lost. The tiny microchip—only about the size of a grain of rice—is placed under the dog’s skin between his shoulder blades. On the microchip is important information that can identify your dog and provide your contact information in case your dog is ever separated from you. Once registered in Allflex’s online database, it is easy to reunite a lost pet with his worried owner.

3. ResQ By Bayer

ResQ’s tiny microchip can be implanted by your veterinarian with a single-use syringe. The unique code on the chip can be used to identify your dog if he were ever to become lost. The chip is safe for your pet, designed to last longer than the average life expectancy of a dog, and has anti-migration technology so the microchip stays where it was implanted. Bayer’s ResQ scanners can read all brands of pet microchip and 125, 128, and 134.2 kHZ frequencies.

2. AKC-CAR By Trovan

A licensed veterinarian can insert the AKC-CAR microchip between your dog’s shoulder blades in a quick and nearly pain-free procedure that is similar to getting an injection. The chips are designed to bond to the dog’s internal tissue, so the microchip won’t wander to another part of his body, which would make it harder to detect. AKC-CAR microchip scanners can detect all three frequencies of microchips that are used in the pet identification industry but can only read the 125 kHZ and 128 kHZ chips. The vital contact information encoded on the microchip can help bring your lost pup home faster.

1. The Friendchip By Avid

Avid’s Friendchip microchip, which operated at 125 kHZ, is designed to provide a permanent, scannable electronic identification marker for dogs, as well as livestock animals. Each animal is assigned a unique 9-digit identification number that is encoded into the microchip to prevent identity fraud. The Friendchip is designed so that it won’t move around under the dog’s skin. It won’t be damaged if the dog needs an MRI or X-ray.

Statistically, most dogs who run away for become lost are never reunited with their owners. In fact, the American Humane Association estimates that 1 out of 3 pets become lost at some point in their lifetime and close to 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the US every single year. Additionally, according to the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families, less than 23% of lost pets in the U.S. are reunited with their owners.

You can flip the odds to your favor by having your dog microchipped so that he has a permanent means of identification if he were ever lost. Discuss the microchipping process with your veterinarian and do your research on these Top 5 Dog Microchip Companies to find the right one for your needs. It could help bring your lost pup safely home again!