(A) The implant of an identification microchip provided under this section shall conform with the requirements of 345 Indiana Administrative Code § 1-2.6-9.
(B) In accordance with 345 Indiana Administrative Code § 1-5-2, all dogs and cats three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccination of a dog, cat, or ferret shall be maintained by ongoing revaccination of the animal as follows:
(1) Ferrets shall be revaccinated within 12 months of the prior vaccination.
(2) Dogs and cats that are vaccinated with a rabies vaccine the label of which recommends annual boosters shall be revaccinated within 12 months of the prior vaccination.
(3) Dogs and cats that are vaccinated with a rabies vaccine the label of which recommends a booster one year later and triennially thereafter shall be revaccinated within 36 months of each vaccination thereafter.
(C) The owner of the animal is responsible for procuring the vaccinations required by this section.
(D) All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip.
(E) Exemptions. The microchip 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 an Indiana licensed veterinarian. If the dog or cat is able to be safely implanted with an identifying microchip at a later date, the date must be stated in the written confirmation.
(2) A dog or cat that is kenneled or trained in the town, but is owned by an individual that does not reside in the town.
(3) A dog or cat for which the owner ensures that another form of identification that provides the owner's name, address, and telephone number are present on the dog or cat; however, should such a dog or cat be found by an Animal Control Officer without such identification, then the dog or cat shall be subject to the microchipping requirements of this section and the owner shall be subject to a fine for failure to comply with this section.
(F) Transfer, 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.
(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.
(G) When an impounded dog or cat is without microchip identification or is exempt from the requirements of this section, in addition to satisfying applicable requirements for the release of the animal, including but not limited to payment, of impound fees pursuant to this chapter, the owner shall have the dog or cat implanted with a microchip by an Indiana licensed veterinarian technician or veterinarian or designated personnel at the expense of the owner before the dog or cat may be released to the owner.
(Ord. 2015-03, passed 4-9-15) Penalty, see § 13.02