By Mark Gill, CEO of Petasure

In our previous articles, we’ve explored why microchips aren’t enough on their own, how Petasure’s technology is built to bridge the gaps – and what you can do to reduce the risk of your pet being stolen. But how does Petasure compare to traditional microchipping in the real world?

To find out, we asked a group of our first free trial users to give us their honest feedback across key comparison points. Fourteen people responded – thank you! – and the results provide fascinating insight into how people are starting to view the future of pet identification.

Confidence in Identification: A microchip alone may not be enough to get your pet home...

The numbers speak for themselves:

• As demand outstrips supply, pet theft is increasing, even with tougher sentencing.
• Some stolen dogs have their microchips surgically removed before being sold, bred, or used for baiting.
• Many owner details in microchip databases are outdated or missing entirely.
• Microchips can migrate within the pet’s body, making them harder to detect.
• Scanning doesn’t always work – sometimes microchips fail to be picked up at all.
• Every year, over 55,000 dogs taken to shelters are not reunited with their owners due to microchip problems.
• Of these, only around 5,000 are rehomed – the rest are put to sleep.

When asked about the likelihood of successfully identifying a lost or stolen pet, the verdict was clear: 11 of 14 participants had more confidence in Petasure after using it. While microchips were still familiar and generally considered “fine,” they were also described as vulnerable – they can fail, be removed, or be forgotten when contact details aren’t updated. Petasure’s app-based system offered a clearer, more reassuring route to reunion.

Accuracy of Contact Details

In terms of which method was more likely to have up-to-date contact details, Petasure came out ahead again, 8 votes to 6. Some users noted that reminders to update info might be ignored over time – but many agreed that the Petasure Pet Support Centre’s ability to reach out via social media in an emergency tipped the balance in Petasure’s favour.

Would Strangers Still Help?

Interestingly, when asked if Petasure would change the likelihood of a stranger stopping to help a lost pet, the result was a draw – 7 votes each. Most people felt that while the number of people willing to help wouldn’t change, the success rate would. That’s because Petasure’s “found a pet” function allows helpers to act quickly and verify details right there and then.

Could Petasure Help Reduce Theft?

On the question of whether Petasure could reduce the likelihood of a dog being stolen, most participants agreed it would – especially over time. While the overall rate of theft might not drop overnight, participants felt the recovery rate would improve significantly with Petasure. They also believed that the biggest decline in thefts would come in “opportunist theft” cases, as awareness of digital ID grows. Final result: 9 out of 14 backed Petasure.

Deterrent Power: Tags vs Chips

Could a visible Petasure tag be a stronger deterrent than simply knowing a dog is microchipped? This one was split – 7 votes apiece. Most agreed the deterrent effect wasn’t immediate but would grow as Petasure’s presence became more widely recognised.

Raising the Alarm

This was the most decisive result of the trial. Every single participant – 14 out of 14 – said Petasure’s “missing pet” feature was far better than the traditional method of phoning around, registering on lost sites, and hoping for the best. The ability to trigger instant alerts, get a ready-made poster in your inbox, and receive support from the Petasure team was seen as a major game-changer.

The ‘Found a Pet’ Feature

Another landslide here: 13 of 14 testers preferred the Petasure app’s “found a pet” function over traditional microchip scanning. Testers felt the app gave anyone the power to help reunite a pet with their pet parent – even if they didn’t have access to a vet scanner. It made the process feel faster, more personal, and far more supportive.

Verifying Puppy Sales

When it came to checking if a puppy had been stolen or was part of a genuine sale, testers agreed the comparison wasn’t even fair. Petasure was the only tool offering a practical way to check. With a microchip alone, you simply wouldn’t know unless the animal had already been registered with a vet and scanned. Final score: 14-0 to Petasure.

Final Thoughts

This trial gave us invaluable insight into how real pet parents feel about Petasure compared to microchipping. While chips still have their place – and are legally required in the UK – it’s clear that digital ID offers powerful additional protection, especially in emergencies.

Petasure isn’t just about replacing the old system – it’s about building on it with smarter tools, real-time support, and a safety net you can rely on. Thanks again to all our testers for helping us shape the future of pet protection.To find out more about how Petasure works, visit www.petasure.co.uk

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