Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Hendricks County

Hendricks County, IN Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing sections
§§ 91.07(B), (C); 91.06(B)(2)
General pet mandate
None
Who must be chipped
Dangerous/potentially dangerous animals
Adopted animals
Chipped at owner's expense
Rescue group placements
Chip placed free (§ 91.06(B)(6)(b))

Summary

Hendricks County does not require microchips for every pet, but it mandates them for animals declared dangerous or potentially dangerous, and for most dogs, cats, and equines adopted from the county shelter, all at the owner's expense.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hendricks County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(B) ...This animal must be microchipped by a licensed veterinarian or the County Animal Control/Shelter, and the number kept on file at the County Animal Control/Shelter... The cost of the microchip and registration to be at the owner's expense.

(C) ...This animal must be microchipped by a licensed veterinarian or the County Animal Control/Shelter, and the number kept on file at the County Animal Control/Shelter... The cost of the microchip and registration to be at the owner's expense.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-3: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2024-50, passed 12-10-2024; and State law current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 91 of the Hendricks County Code, adopted under Ordinance 2000-30 with later amendments, ties microchipping to two specific situations rather than a general pet-ownership mandate. 07(B), an animal confined as fierce, dangerous, or vicious must be microchipped by a licensed veterinarian or the County Animal Control/Shelter, with the chip number kept on file at the shelter, and the cost of the microchip and registration borne by the owner. 07(C) imposes the identical microchip requirement on animals confined as potentially dangerous. 06(B)(6)(b) makes an exception for animals placed with an approved rescue group, where the shelter places the microchip at no charge. 05(F)(2) sets different notice-and-hold periods depending on whether a picked-up animal is properly tagged and microchipped. This scheme covers only unincorporated Hendricks County.

Violations & Fines

Failing to microchip a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal as required by 91.07(B) or (C) is enforced as part of the confinement conditions for that classification; noncompliance can result in the animal being confiscated by an Animal Control Officer under 91.07(C)(3) and the owner cited for a chapter violation under 91.99, punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 per day. Failing to microchip an adopted animal as required by 91.06(B)(2) is likewise treated as a chapter violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hendricks County require all dogs and cats to be microchipped?
No. There is no general microchip mandate in the code. Microchipping is required only for animals officially confined as dangerous or potentially dangerous under 91.07(B) and (C), and for most animals adopted from the county shelter under 91.06(B)(2).
Who pays for the microchip if my dog is declared dangerous?
The owner does. Sections 91.07(B) and (C) both state the cost of the microchip and registration is at the owner's expense, and the animal must be chipped by a licensed veterinarian or the County Animal Control/Shelter with the number kept on file at the shelter.
Is my adopted shelter pet automatically microchipped?
Yes, for most species. Under 91.06(B)(2), animals adopted from the shelter that can be sterilized, such as dogs, cats, and equines, will also be microchipped, with the cost charged to the new owner at the time of adoption.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hendricks County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsCat RulesFew RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsFew Restrictions

All Hendricks County rules

Compare Hendricks County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview

Get notified when Microchipping in Hendricks County, IN changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.