PetLink Microchip Registry Integration

PawPlacer's PetLink integration allows you to register pet microchips directly with PetLink, one of the largest microchip registries in the United States. This integration streamlines the microchip registration process, ensuring pets can be reunited with their owners if they ever get lost.

Overview

The PetLink integration enables you to:

• Register prepaid microchips with owner information
• Validate microchip codes before submission
• Track registration status

Limitations

Important: This integration only supports prepaid microchips. PawPlacer does not collect payments or apply promo codes.

Note: The PetLink API does not support automated microchip transfers. If a microchip is already registered to another owner, you must contact PetLink support to request a transfer.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

Before using the PetLink integration, you'll need:

1. An active PetLink Animal Professional (Shelter) account with API access enabled
2. Your PetLink login credentials (email and password)
3. Prepaid microchips from a PetLink-compatible vendor

Configuring Your PetLink Account

1. Navigate to Settings > Microchip Registry
2. Expand the "PetLink Connection" section
3. Enter your PetLink shelter email address
4. Enter your PetLink password
5. Click "Test Connection" to verify your credentials
6. Click "Save" to store your credentials securely

Your password is encrypted before being stored and is never visible after saving.

Note: Use your Animal Professional (Shelter) account credentials, not a personal owner account.

Creating a Microchip Registration

Starting a New Registration

1. Navigate to Settings > Microchip Registry
2. Click "Add Microchip"
3. Complete the registration form
4. Click "Save" to create a draft registration

Linking to a Pet

Registrations must be linked to an existing pet in PawPlacer:

1. In the "Pet Information" section, click the pet selector
2. Search for and select the pet
3. Pet details (name, breed, color, etc.) will be auto-filled

If the pet is not in PawPlacer yet, create the pet first, then return here to register the microchip.

Required Fields

Pet Information

• Pet (select an existing pet)
• Microchip code (15 digits starting with 981)
• Pet name

Owner Information

• Email (becomes their PetLink login)
• First name
• Last name
• Primary phone
• Address line 1
• City
• State (US)
• Postal code
• Accept PetLink terms

Important: The owner's email address cannot be changed after submission. Double-check it before registering. The owner email must be a PetLink owner account, not a shelter/vet (Animal Professional) account.

Optional Pet Fields

Registration Workflow

Status Flow

Step 1: Validate the Microchip

1. Open your draft registration
2. Click "Validate Microchip"
3. Wait for validation to complete

Validation checks:

• Microchip code format is valid
• Microchip is prepaid
• Microchip isn't already registered to another owner

Step 2: Submit to PetLink

After successful validation:

1. Review all information carefully
2. Click "Submit to PetLink"
3. Confirm the submission

Warning: All information (pet and owner details) is final after submission and cannot be changed via PawPlacer. To make changes after submission, contact PetLink support directly.

Validation Errors

Already Registered Microchips

When validation returns "Already registered", the microchip is owned by someone else. The PetLink API does not support automated transfers, so this must be handled manually.

How to Request a Transfer

Option 1: Previous Owner Initiates Transfer

1. Contact the previous owner (if known)
2. Ask them to log into PetLink.net
3. Navigate to their pet's record
4. Click "Transfer Pet" and enter the new owner's email

Option 2: Contact PetLink Support

1. Call 1-877-PETLINK (1-877-738-5465)
2. Provide proof of ownership:
   • Adoption records
   • Vet records
   • Intake documentation
3. PetLink will process the transfer

After Transfer Completes:

1. Return to the registration in PawPlacer
2. Click "Validate Microchip" again
3. The chip should now validate successfully
4. Complete the registration

Common Transfer Scenarios

PetLink Support

• Phone: 1-877-PETLINK (1-877-738-5465)
• Website: petlink.net/support
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm ET

Have ready: microchip number, proof of ownership, shelter account information.

Test vs Production Environment

• Test - Available in development; no real registrations created
• Production - Creates actual PetLink registrations

In production deployments, all registrations go to PetLink's production system.

Troubleshooting

Privacy and Security

• Credentials encrypted using AES-256-GCM
• Passwords never displayed after saving
• All transmissions use HTTPS
• Registration data only accessible to authorized team members

Support

• PetLink issues (account access, transfers): Contact PetLink support
• PawPlacer integration issues: Contact PawPlacer support