another microchip question

So last week I rescued a rag doll that was extremely thin and dirty. I've been holding her in my mud room, fattening her up a bit while trying to find her owner on craigslist. No luck on the owner yet.

A family member will happily adopt this kitty. However, I think ethically I probably should have her checked for a microchip first. (It's like the other day when I found a blank $200 money order on the floor in the supermarket. Got to do the right thing here, as I did then.)

My vet will check for a chip without charge and I plan to get that done tomorrow.

My question: who contacts the previous owner? Does the vet contact the chip company to say the cat has been found? Do they give ME the contact info? How does that work?

Normally if you prefer that the vet make contact, they will. If you prefer to make the contact, they will give you the information for you to contact an owner.

And thank you for taking care of this little kitty, including having a home lined up for her. Odds are that she won't be chipped as many are not.

But should she be chipped, please do not assume that her former owner allowed her to become thin and dirty. She may have been lost, etc.

At the same time, should she be chipped, you might try to determine if she's been in a good or bad situation before you return her. I know. I know....easier said than done, of course.