Barrow County, GA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Sec. 14-92 governs the disposition of impounded animals: an owner has 72 hours to reclaim an impounded pet by paying the impoundment fee set by the animal control director, subject to written approval from the chairman of the board of commissioners, plus a daily charge for each day the animal lacks proof of current rabies vaccination. Subsection (e) then adds the microchip mandate for any domesticated animal impounded and reclaimed, at the owner's expense. The requirement is triggered specifically by impoundment and reclaim; Barrow does not require every resident pet to be pre-chipped, but once an animal goes through the shelter, chipping becomes a condition of getting it back regardless of species.

The chapter reinforces microchipping elsewhere: Sec. 14-94 folds a microchip implant into the standard adoption-fee package alongside a physical exam, spay or neuter, first distemper/parvo vaccine, dewormer, and rabies shot, and Sec. 14-117(c)(3) separately requires any dog classified as dangerous or vicious to carry an implanted, scannable microchip as a condition of its annual registration. Sec. 14-92(b) also uses microchip status operationally: an animal with no tag, tattoo, or microchip that is impounded may be turned over to a licensed rescue group without the usual stray hold, on the rescue's written agreement to return it within 72 hours if an owner steps forward and pays veterinary costs.