Microchip: Regulations

As the benefits of microchip identification become increasingly apparent, the practice has begun to be viewed as an important part of responsible pet care. Veterinarians, shelters, and animal advocates all recommend microchipping as one of the most important parts of protecting your pet.

Governments are becoming more aware of the benefits of microchipping as well. In major urban areas, the problem of pet overpopulation has strained shelters to a point where they find themselves euthanizing far more pets than are being adopted. This sad circumstance has led to legislation calling for the permanent identification of pets - particularly those who enter these shelters.

In fact, the two largest cities in the United States - New York and Los Angeles - have both passed ordinances for the mandatory microchipping of animals who pass through their shelters. In November of 2000, an ordinance went into effect in New York City mandating that all animals received in the city's shelters be spayed or neutered, and implanted with a microchip ID. And in Los Angeles, Section 53.15.5 of the LA City code states:

"The Department of Animal Regulation shall implant each dog and cat adopted out of the Department's shelters with an Electronic Animal Identification Device approved and provided by the Department ... to be paid by the person adopting the dog or cat in addition to any other adoption related fee."