When lost pets are brought to animal shelters, people there use a special tool to look for the microchip and read the ID number on it, then they'll call the microchip company to match the number to the information of the pet's owner.

Digitized pets: Million of cats and dogs have been equipped with chips the size of a grain of rice, which contain their owners' contact information in case the animals get lost.

When the adventure begins, the pets are staying with a friend while the family is away.