All licensed dogs and cats in Albuquerque must be microchipped, with chip information registered to the owner and updated when the animal or contact information changes.
Albuquerque's HEART ordinance requires every licensed dog and cat to be microchipped, with the chip number reported to the Animal Welfare Department at the time of licensing. Owners must keep registry contact information current so that lost pets impounded at the Eastside or Westside shelters can be returned quickly. Veterinarians, low-cost clinics, and city events provide low-cost chip implantation. Failure to register or update a chip can void license-renewal discounts and prolong stray holds.
Citations may issue when an impounded pet has no chip or outdated registration; reclamation fees rise and continued non-compliance can result in additional civil penalties.
Albuquerque, NM
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Albuquerque, NM
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See how Albuquerque's microchipping rules stack up against other locations.
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