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Garland, TX Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Mandatory chip trigger 1
Before release of any impounded dog/cat (§22.05(E))
Impoundment chip fee
$20 plus the cost of the microchip
Mandatory chip trigger 2
Any animal declared dangerous (§22.20(F))
Voluntary request fee
Master Fee Schedule Art. VII §10.85 + chip cost
Manufacturer registration
1 year, arranged by Animal Services (§22.04(D))

Summary

Garland does not chip every pet up front, but Animal Services makes a microchip mandatory at two checkpoints: every impounded dog or cat is chipped before release under Section 22.05(E), and any animal legally declared dangerous is chipped under Section 22.20(F). Owners can also request voluntary implantation any time for a fee.

§ 22.05(E) ... Prior to release, Animal Services shall implant impounded dogs and cats with a microchip identification device. The fee for this service shall be twenty dollars plus the cost of the microchip. ... § 22.04(B)(1) At the request of an owner, Animal Services shall implant an animal with a microchip identification device. The fee for this service shall be in the amount designated in the Master Fee and Rate Schedule, Article VII, Section 10.85, of Chapter 10, plus the cost of the microchip.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862189; v40 updated 2026-05-19).

Full Breakdown

05(E) states that before an impounded dog or cat can be reclaimed, "Animal Services shall implant impounded dogs and cats with a microchip identification device," charging "twenty dollars plus the cost of the microchip" on top of any impoundment, handling and vaccination fees. 85) plus the chip's cost. 04(B)(2)/(E) let the Director of Health discount those fees during adoption promotions. 20(F) requires any animal determined dangerous to be implanted "to facilitate future identification," with the owner billed for the implant and the first year of manufacturer registration, and responsible for renewing that registration every year after.

Violations & Fines

An impounded dog or cat cannot be reclaimed until the Section 22.05(E) chip fee, along with impoundment and handling fees, is paid; Animal Services implants the chip as a condition of release, not an optional add-on. For a dangerous animal, Section 22.20(F) makes the microchip fee and first-year registration a mandatory cost of release, and the owner who fails to keep that registration current afterward bears sole responsibility under the same subsection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Garland require every pet to be microchipped?
No blanket rule exists, but a chip becomes mandatory at two points: Section 22.05(E) requires it before Animal Services releases any impounded dog or cat, and Section 22.20(F) requires it for any animal legally declared dangerous.
How much does Garland charge to microchip a reclaimed pet?
Section 22.05(E) sets the impoundment-release chip fee at twenty dollars plus the actual cost of the microchip, charged in addition to any impoundment, handling or rabies-revaccination fees the owner already owes.
Who registers a Garland pet's microchip with the manufacturer?
Animal Services does, for a one-year term, under Section 22.04(D), once the owner has paid the applicable implant and registration fees; renewing that registration after the first year is the owner's responsibility.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Garland

All Garland rules

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