Scan2Help.me Guides
QR tag or microchip — what does your dog really need?
A microchip remains the official identification method. A Scan2Help.me QR tag does not replace it — it helps finders without a chip reader: scan, see your shared emergency profile, reach you.
What the microchip does — and where it stalls
The chip sits under the skin and links to registries. Vets and authorities can read it. Passers-by usually have no reader — exactly when your pet is found.
Many finders want to help but hesitate to go to a clinic first. Without a visible cue, they may only post in local groups and wait.
What a Scan2Help.me QR tag adds
A durable tag on the collar carries a unique QR code. Any smartphone opens the shared emergency profile — contacts, notes, medication hints you choose to show.
No app for the finder, no battery on the tag, profile editable online. Complement to chip and registry — not a substitute.
Why both together make sense
Chip + registry for the official trail. QR on the collar for the first minutes with a finder. That often shortens the time until someone calls you.
Scan2Help.me only shows what you release. Your home address does not need to be engraved on the tag.
Quick comparison
| Criterion | Microchip / registry | Scan2Help.me QR tag |
|---|---|---|
| Who can read it? | Vet / authority with a reader | Anyone with a phone camera |
| Legal role | Official identification | Private complement |
| Updates | via registry / vet | yourself in the online profile |
| GPS tracking | no | no (contact after a find) |
| App required? | reader for finders | no |
FAQ
Does the QR tag replace the microchip?
No. Keep the chip for official ID. Scan2Help.me helps finders without a reader.
Must my address be on the tag?
No. You choose what appears after a scan in your Scan2Help.me profile.
Does it work without an app?
The finder needs mobile data for the profile page. No app install — the browser is enough.
Is this a GPS tracker?
No. GPS collars track actively (often with a subscription). The QR tag helps once someone finds your pet.
Suitable for cats?
Yes — use a light, securely attached tag on collar or harness.