Council backs microchipping requirement, aims to reduce shelter holds and returns

The City Council unanimously approved amendments (on first reading and referral to the consent agenda for formal reading) April 8 that require dogs and cats four months or older to have implanted microchips recorded with current owner contact information.

Rationale and evidence presented Animal Control staff presented survey results from a recent town hall: among respondents, 59% preferred microchipping as the primary form of identification and 83% said they would attend a low‑cost or free microchipping event. Staff said microchipping increases the odds of reuniting lost pets with owners and cited recent cases where microchips enabled prompt reunification.

Holding periods and costs Staff explained the practical effect: animals with microchips often have longer holding periods at the receiving shelter (typically up to 10 days for identifiable animals vs. a shorter statutory hold for unidentifiable animals), which increases the chance of reunification. Staff said the city’s current transport/contract costs for holding an impounded animal are about $270 per incident and that microchipping reduces shelter turnover and associated costs.

Implementation and outreach Council and staff emphasized education and a phased approach rather than immediate punitive enforcement. Staff recommended partnering with local animal welfare groups (Save an Angel and others) to offer low‑cost microchip clinics; vouchers and low‑cost clinic options were discussed as ways to help low‑income pet owners comply.

Why it matters Council members said microchipping is a cost‑effective measure to reduce shelter euthanasia, speed reunifications and reduce the city’s transport and shelter costs. The ordinance aligns with a 2021 state law that requires shelters to scan for microchips.