Grand Prairie, TX Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Section 5-11(a) makes it an offense for an owner to keep a dog or cat without a microchip. Subsection (b) lists the only defenses: the animal is under four months old, held for adoption by Animal Services or a nonprofit welfare group, the owner has lived in Grand Prairie fewer than 30 days, a non-resident owner is staying in the city fewer than 60 days, the owner has had the animal fewer than 30 days, or a licensed veterinarian has determined the animal is medically unsuitable for chipping.

Subsection (c) requires owners to keep their contact information current with the microchip registration company, updating it within 30 days of any address change or within 30 days of a change in ownership; failing to do so is a separate offense, though subsection (c)(4) lets a judge dismiss the citation if the owner complies before the first court date or within 20 days of the citation, whichever is later. Existing owners as of the ordinance's effective date had 60 days to chip their animals (subsection (d)).

Subsection (e) makes chipping free, subject to availability and by appointment, for verified Grand Prairie residents who do not own the animal for commercial breeding or retail purposes; the resident pays only the cost of the microchip and its installation. Section 5-13 backs the mandate at impoundment: any impounded dog or cat, including one released from quarantine, must have a microchip implanted by the animal services manager before the owner can reclaim it.