Prince George's County, MD Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Once an animal is impounded, Section 3-124 lets the Administrator use a microchip, along with a collar tag or license, to identify the owner and serve notice of impoundment, and Section 3-126(a) requires the Administrator to keep a record of whether every impounded animal is licensed, tattooed, or microchipped. Section 3-101(56) lists a microchip implant, tattoo, or license tag among the indicators that lead the County to treat an animal as "owned" rather than a stray. The mandatory chip fee under Section 3-128(c) applies to any impounded animal, but a stricter and separate rule governs dogs formally declared dangerous: Section 3-137(a)(5) requires that owner, at their own expense, to have a licensed veterinarian tattoo or microchip the animal at a location the Administrator designates, regardless of whether the animal was ever impounded.

The Director sets the microchip and other shelter fees under the tariff schedule in Section 3-106, after consulting the Directors of Management and Budget and of Finance, and the schedule is posted at the Animal Services and Adoption Center.