Sec. 10.24.110 – Mandatory Microchipping of Impounded Animals

(A) Microchipping Requirement. When an impounded dog or cat is without microchip identification, in addition to satisfying applicable requirements for the release of the animal, including, but not limited to, payment of impound fees required by this Chapter, the owner or keeper will be required to do the following have the dog or cat implanted with an animal services microchip by designated personnel at the expense of the owner or keeper.

(B) Fees for Microchip Identification Device. The fee for an identifying microchip device shall be set by the Board of Supervisors. Microchip fees may be collected by the Animal Care Services division when a dog or cat is adopted by the public, transferred to a non-profit animal rescue or adoption corporation, or when a dog or cat is reclaimed by the owner from the county animal shelter. If an animal has already been implanted with an identifying microchip device by some other facility, there will be no fee to have the identification microchip number entered into the Animal Care Services division's registry.

The above ordinance was adopted by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on December 4, 2018 and implemented on January 18, 2019. 

Benefits of Microchipping Dogs & Cats

Each year over 3 million animals are euthanized in pet shelters. Many of these animals are someone's pet that either got lost or was found wandering through busy streets.  Now with microchipping, missing pets can be taken back to their rightful owners quickly!

How does a microchip work?

A microchip is approximately the size of a grain of rice.  It is placed under your pet's skin using a needle and acts as a tracking device.  The microchip itself carries a number which is put into a database with contact information like name, phone number and address.  If your pet wanders off and a pet shelter or vet's office picks him or her up, they can scan your pet's body to find out who "Fido" or "Fluffy" belongs to.  Pets that receive a microchip implant will feel the same amount of pain as a vaccination.  Remember that microchipping is useless unless you keep your records up to date.

What are the benefits of microchipping?

Keep track of your pet if he or she wanders off.

If your pet ends up in a pet shelter they can get him or her back to you quickly.

In case of a natural disaster your pet will be returned to you.

Microchips last for your pet's lifetime, so all you have to do is keep your records up to date.

If your pet is on medication and he or she gets lost, having a microchip allows you to find your pet sooner to administer medication.