Microchipping is a quick, simple procedure in which a microchip is injected underneath your pet’s skin. The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted in the shoulder blade area. The microchip is encoded with an alphanumeric identifier that is unique to your pet. Microchipping can be done at any age but is commonly performed during spay or neuter surgical visits.
Benefits of getting your pet microchipped:
- Often required for the identification of pets during travel.
- Permanent, unlike collars they cannot be removed if your pet is lost, stolen, or accidentally escapes.
- Lasts the lifetime of your pet.
- A most effective way to ensure your pet is returned to you.
Las Vegas City Microchip ordinance
At the Oct. 18th City Council meeting, Las Vegas City Council approved an ordinance requiring dogs and cats within the city to have a microchip.
Starting Aug. 1, 2024, all dogs or cats over the age of four months residing in the city of Las Vegas must have a microchip.
Owners must register their contact information and microchip numbers with the microchip registration company and our Animal Protection Services through the animal pet licensing program; if there’s a change in ownership, information must be changed within 30 days.
The new requirements do not apply to:
▪ An animal whose owner has resided within the city fewer than 30 days
▪ An animal brought into the city temporarily for a show or exhibition
Breeders will be required to comply with the new ordinance. They need to ensure that all dogs and cats offered for sale have been microchipped before being transported to a pet shop or sold.
Violations of the ordinance will result in a misdemeanor and upon conviction may be punished by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to six months or a combination of both.
Please consult with The Animal Foundation, your neighborhood veterinary clinic or local nonprofits like the Nevada SPCA for assistance with microchipping
