(a) In addition to all other requirements of this Chapter, dogs and cats over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The owner is required to provide the microchip number to the contracted animal control agency at the time of obtaining a license for a dog, and shall notify the contracted animal control agency of any change of ownership of the dog or cat, or any change of address or telephone number.
(b) Exemptions. The mandatory micro-chipping requirements shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) A dog or cat with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily injury if implanted with the microchip identification, due to the health conditions of the animal. The owner must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a veterinarian. If the dog or cat is able to be safely implanted with an identifying microchip at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation.
(2) A dog or cat that is kenneled or trained in the City, but is owned by an person who does not reside in the City. The owner must keep and maintain the animal in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances of the public entity where in the owner of the animal permanently resides, including but not limited to the applicable licensing and rabies vaccination requirements of that jurisdiction.
(3) A dog or cat over the age of 10 years.
(c) Transfer or sale of dogs and cats.
(1) An owner who offers any dog over the age of four months for sale, trade, or adoption must provide the microchip identification number and the valid dog license number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption. The license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the dog to the new owner. The owner shall also advise the contracted animal control agency of the name and address of the new owner. An owner who offers any dog over the age of four months for sale, trade, or adoption and fails to provide such information to the contracted animal control agency is in violation of this Chapter and shall be subject to the penalties set forth herein.
(2) An owner who offers any cat over the age of four months for sale, trade, or adoption must provide the microchip identification number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption. The microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the cat to the new owner. The owner shall also advise the contracted animal control agency of the name and address of the new owner or custodian. An owner who offers any cat over the age of four months for sale, trade, or adoption and fails to provides such information to the contracted animal control agency is in violation of this Chapter and shall be subject to the penalties set forth herein.
(3) When a puppy or kitten under the age of four months implanted with microchip identification is sold or otherwise transferred to another person, the owner shall advise the department of the name and address of the new owner or custodian, and the microchip number of the puppy or kitten within ten days after the transfer. If it is discovered that an owner or custodian has failed to provide the contracted animal control agency with the name and address of the new owner and the microchip number of the puppy or kitten, the owner or custodian shall be in violation of this Chapter and subject to the penalties set forth herein.
(Ord. 181, passed 5-1-2019)