Franklin County, FL Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Section 4-20 sets the county's baseline identification rule: every owner of an animal over four months old residing in the county must carry identification showing the owner's name, address and phone number. Subsection (b) layers a rabies-tag requirement on top of that: unless otherwise provided, all animals must wear a rabies tag at all times. The code gives owners one way out of the tag requirement rather than a second mandatory rule: if the animal is implanted with an electronic animal identification device, meaning a microchip, and the microchip's identification code is recorded with the county animal shelter, the animal does not have to wear the tag.

That makes microchipping optional for an ordinary pet rather than required, functioning as a substitute for the physical rabies tag rather than an added duty. Microchipping becomes mandatory, not optional, once a dog is classified as dangerous. Section 4-15(2)c requires 'permanent and visible identification of the dog, such as a tattoo on the inside thigh or electronic implantation' as one of the conditions the owner must satisfy within 14 days to obtain the certificate of registration required for a dangerous dog. Combined with the rabies certificate, secure enclosure, proof of spay or neutering and photographs also required under Section 4-15(2), a dangerous dog in Franklin County carries a heavier identification burden than an ordinary pet.