San Bernardino County requires microchipping of dogs and cats at the time of licensing or shelter release. The chip must be registered to a current owner with active contact information that Animal Care officers can verify in the field.
Title 3 directs Animal Care to scan all impounded animals and to implant chips during shelter intake or adoption. Registered owners receive priority reclaim and avoid full impound holds when contact data is verifiable. California Civil Code section 1834.4 reinforces shelter scanning duties. Owners must update registration when moving across the county, especially common in the high desert and mountain transitions. Vouchers for low-cost chipping are issued at clinics in Hesperia, Big Bear, and San Bernardino city.
Citations for unchipped or unregistered animals, longer impound holds, and higher reclaim fees. Repeat offenses may be referred for animal removal by court order.
See how Fontana's microchipping rules stack up against other locations.
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