Farmersville, TX Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Sec. 11-204(a) states that, effective June 1, 2009, the owner of a dog or cat impounded for being at large must have the animal microchipped within 30 days of its release from impoundment. Sec. 11-204(b) lets the animal control officer exempt an owner who proves one of the affirmative defenses listed in subsection (d). Sec. 11-204(c) makes it an offense both to fail to microchip the animal as required and to fail to provide proof it was microchipped. Sec. 11-204(d) lists the defenses: the animal was registered with a national registry or is a sporting, livestock, or working dog whose owner belongs to a recognized breed, all-breed, sporting, or hunting club that hasn't sold 12 or more intact dogs or cats in the preceding year; the animal wore a current city license tag and hadn't previously been impounded for being at large; the animal was at large due to a force majeure; or it escaped because of a fire or a non-resident third party's criminal or negligent act, provable by a certified police or fire report, an officer's affidavit, or testimony. Sec. 11-204(e) makes clear none of this permits a spayed or neutered dog or cat to run at large regardless of chip status.