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Katy adopts microchip requirement, shortens holding periods and updates animal-control fees
Summary
Council approved an ordinance requiring microchips for dogs and cats within the city, reduced holding periods for impounded animals, and updated adoption, quarantine and redemption fees; animal-services staff said free microchipping is available to residents and credited the program with lowering the average shelter stay from 25 to about six days.
The City of Katy on June 22 adopted changes to its animal-control code that require microchips for dogs and cats and revise holding periods and related fees.
City staff presented the ordinance amending Article 2.03 of the Katy Code of Ordinances to implement a microchip requirement, change redemption/holding-period procedures and set penalties up to $2,000 for violations. Staff member Katie described operational results from the city’s recent microchipping and adoption efforts: 56 microchips implanted this year, a drop in average length of stay from 25 days in 2025 to about 6 days in 2026, and 43 adoptions so far this year. Katie said residents may receive a free microchip and that registration and updates are free; some microchip vendors may offer optional paid services, but registration through the city does not require payment.
Council members asked about clinical care and medication protocols for animals in custody; Katie clarified the shelter consults veterinarians for sick animals and follows ASV-recommended intake vaccinations, deworming and flea prevention to reduce disease risk. Members also probed fee structure and retrieval procedures: chipped animals receive a longer holding period (five days) than unchipped animals (three days), and at the end of those periods animals are transferred to rescues or made available for adoption after sterilization preparations.
Council discussed operational flexibility for large adoption events; staff confirmed fee waivers or temporary free-adoption campaigns (for example, an "empty the shelter" month) can be executed with department coordination and that the mayor/department head can act on fee-waiver requests for bulk actions. Council approved the ordinance and a companion fee-schedule amendment by voice vote.
The ordinance includes enforcement provisions; council did not attach additional funding in the recorded discussion but noted much of the sterilization work for adoptions has been provided by a nonprofit partner at low cost to the city.
