Sussex County, DE Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Under § 60-2D, once an owner pays the fee and shows proof of a currently valid rabies vaccination, the County issues a dog, retail dog outlet or kennel license along with either a metal tag or an alternative method of identification such as, but not limited to, a microchip or tattoo. Where a metal tag is issued, it must be affixed to the dog's collar, but dogs housed as part of a licensed kennel or retail outlet in an enclosure or pen may have the collar and tag removed and are not required to wear them while penned.

If the tag has been removed, the owner must be able to produce a valid dog tag and license for review by a dog control agent on request. Dogs actively engaged in hunting are exempt from wearing the county tag while hunting, but must carry some other means of valid identification, again with the license and tag available for review while the dog works. The provision treats microchipping as one accepted identification option among several, not a separate mandatory program, and it applies specifically to the county's dog licensing scheme rather than to cats or other pets, which Chapter 60 does not cover.