Fort Wayne, IN Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Lifetime registration cost
- $30, requires microchip + sterilization
- Senior lifetime registration
- $5 for owners 62+
- Annual altered-pet fee
- $5 per year
- Transfer requirement
- Must update microchip data on sale
- Penalty range
- $50 to $2,500 per offense
Summary
Fort Wayne does not mandate microchipping every pet, but a sterilized dog or cat with a microchip implant qualifies for a discounted $30 lifetime registration instead of paying an annual fee.
A person who owns a surgically sterilized dog or cat may, as an alternative to an annual pet registration, obtain a lifetime pet registration for the dog or cat with a microchip implant. This lifetime pet registration shall continue as long the person is the registered owner.
(1) Each lifetime pet registration holder will be issued a durable stainless steel tag with a registration number for each pet registration granted. Dogs and cats shall wear their tags, affixed to their collars, at all times except as outlined in (B) above. Lifetime tags which become unreadable shall be replaced by the owner at the Department.
(D) An unaltered animal(s) shall be classified as an altered animal for purposes of pet registration and fees upon presentation to the Department of documentation from a state licensed veterinarian, which establishes that the sterilization of the animal(s) would jeopardize the animal's health. Registration of the unaltered animal at the altered fee will constitute the owner's agreement not to breed the animal.
(E) Service animal exemption. A person who is impaired by:
(1) Blindness or any other visual impairment;
(2) Deafness or any other audial impairment;
(3) A physical disability; or
(4) A medical condition; and relies on a service animal for navigation, assistance in performing daily activities or alert signals regarding the onset of the person's medical condition, shall be exempt from the payment of an
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.050(C) lets an owner of a surgically sterilized dog or cat obtain a lifetime pet registration with a microchip implant instead of renewing annual registration. The Department of Animal Care & Control issues a stainless-steel tag tied to the microchip number, traceable through the Department's database. Lifetime registration costs $30 (just $5 for owners 62 and older), versus $5 a year for an annual altered-pet registration. Under § 91.050(I), an owner who sells, trades, gifts, or otherwise transfers a microchipped dog or cat must transfer the microchip documentation to the Department and the national registry, and owners must keep contact information current or risk the animal being held only three business days before disposition.
Violations & Fines
Violating this chapter's pet registration and microchip transfer rules draws a fine of $50 to $2,500 per offense, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is microchipping required for every pet in Fort Wayne?
What if I sell or rehome a microchipped pet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
Compare Fort Wayne to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.