Pet microchip company goes dark, affecting millions
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A pet microchip company going dark – leaving millions of pets at risk if they get lost.
Save This Life was a microchip company and maintained a database of owner information that is accessed if a pet goes missing.
The company, however, suddenly shut down and its database is gone.
Originally, this issue was mainly on the West Coast, but a vet office in Charlotte, North Carolina, says it chipped tens of thousands of animals with Save This Life that are now dark.
Virginia Tech students to help clean debris in Augusta
Students from Virginia Tech will be in Augusta this week helping residents clean up debris after Hurricane Helene, according to a press release.
“So that’s effectively a Save This Life number, but the registration doesn’t exist for Save This Life anymore,” said Austin Webb, assistant manager at Stand for Animals, a nonprofit veterinary clinic in Charlotte. “Their database is gone since they shut down.”
Despite the shutdown, there’s good news: Pet owners do not need to replace their pets’ microchips. Instead, they just need to re- it with a different database.
Here’s how:
- Find your pet’s microchip number – Check your vet records or ask your veterinarian to scan the chip.
- Look up the number – Use a registry search tool, like the American Animal Hospital Association database, to check if your pet is ed.
- Re- if necessary – If your pet’s chip is linked to Save This Life or is uned, use the available links to with a different database.
Richmond County election officials to look at voting site changes
On Monday night, the Richmond County Board of Elections is holding a meeting to change polling locations for voters in multiple precincts.
The entire process takes just a few minutes, but it can be life-changing if a pet ever goes missing.
We called several of the largest veterinary offices in the area, as well as the Aiken and Augusta Animal Shelters.
None reported using Save This Life for their microchipping services. However, it can’t hurt to check.
If you’re worried about your pet’s microchip information, you can ask for it to be scanned the next time you bring in your pet for their annual appointment.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
