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Council backs replacing pet registration with microchipping, wants affordability assurances
Summary
Staff proposed replacing annual pet registration with mandatory microchipping for owned pets; council members said they would support the change if it replaces registration, remains affordable (city fee currently $20; registration was $1/$10), and staff maintains free or low-cost access through community clinics.
City animal-control staff proposed an ordinance to require microchipping of owned dogs and cats within city limits as a replacement for the current annual registration requirement.
Animal-control director Omar told the council the draft treats microchipping as a substitute for registration: "In our current draft, we have it as a replacement for registration." He also outlined cost figures: the existing fee schedule lists registration at $1 for spayed/neutered animals and $10 for unaltered animals, while microchipping is listed in the fee schedule at $20; Omar added that bulk chip costs paid by the city run about $5 to $7 each. Councilors said they would support the proposal if it did not create a dual requirement or a higher out-of-pocket cost for pet owners. "So long as it's replacing the registration requirement, I don't have any issue with that," Councilor Jessica Jarmelo Moreno said.
Staff noted existing city and partner programs to offer low- or no-cost microchipping events; the council directed staff to prepare ordinance language that replaces registration with microchipping, clarifies enforcement, and seeks ways (community clinics, grants) to keep resident costs low.
