Microchipping Your Pet

Effective October 1, 2017, all dogs and cats four months and older reclaimed by their owner from the Carrollton Animal Services and Adoption Center must be microchipped. The microchip is included in the $20 reclaim fee for the first offense in a 12-month period.

Note: The microchip provides permanent identification but does not replace city registration.

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a permanent form of identification for your pet.

• About the size of a grain of rice
• Injected beneath the skin between the shoulder blades
• Contains a unique ID code that can be read by a microchip scanner

When scanned, the code identifies your pet and connects it to your contact information.

How Do I Get a Microchip?

Most local veterinary clinics provide microchipping services.

• Carrollton Animal Services does not provide microchips on request
• Pets reclaimed from the shelter will be microchipped during the reclaim process

Click here for a list of local veterinary clinics

Ensure the clinic is accessible and able to assist if you have mobility or communication needs.

What Should I Do After My Pet is Microchipped?

1. Register the chip with the microchip company
2. Keep your contact information updated

• The initial registration happens during the reclaim process
• You are responsible for updating your information if it changes

My Pet is Microchipped and Up to Date – Now What?

• Your pet is in compliance with city requirements
• If your pet is lost, shelters and animal control officers can scan the microchip
• This allows them to contact you and reunite you with your pet quickly

Is Microchipping Safe?

• Microchipping is safe for pets
• Adverse reactions are extremely rare (<0.01% of over 4 million animals chipped since 1996)
• Benefits of identification far outweigh the risks

Learn more about microchip safety from the American Veterinary Medical Association

What if My Pet Cannot Be Microchipped for Medical Reasons?

• Ask your veterinarian to provide a letter certifying that your pet cannot be microchipped due to health concerns
• Keep this documentation as proof in case it is requested by animal services