Milwaukee, WI Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Every dog and cat in the city
- Registration
- Nationally recognized pet recovery database
- Transfer reporting
- Within 30 days of transfer
- Visitor exception
- Stays of 90 days or fewer
- New resident grace period
- 90 days to comply
Summary
Milwaukee requires every dog and cat kept in the city to be microchipped and registered with a nationally recognized pet recovery database, with narrow exceptions for short-term visitors and new residents.
MICROCHIPPING. a. Every dog and
every cat kept in the city shall be microchipped
and registered with a nationally recognized pet
recovery database.
b. Transfer of ownership of a
microchipped animal shall be reported to a
national pet microchip registry within 30 days of
the transfer date. The new owner shall ensure that
the microchip registration is updated to reflect
current contact information.
c. The requirements of this subsection
do not apply when either of the following conditions
exist:
c-1.
The dog or cat is temporarily visiting
the city for a period not exceeding 90 consecutive
days.
c-2.
The dog or cat is owned by an
individual who has established residency in the city
within the past 90 days, provided that
microchipping is completed and registered within
that period.
Full Breakdown
Under the dog and cat licensing section of the animal code, every dog and every cat kept in the city must carry a microchip registered to a nationally recognized pet recovery database. When a microchipped animal changes hands, the transfer must be reported to a national pet microchip registry within 30 days, and the new owner is responsible for updating the registration with current contact information. The requirement does not apply to an animal temporarily visiting the city for 90 consecutive days or fewer, or to an animal owned by someone who has lived in the city for 90 days or less, provided microchipping and registration are completed within that window.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a municipal offense; s. 78-17-6 microchipping is listed among the ch. 78 provisions penalized under the ch. 61 forfeiture schedule, enforced by citation from the domestic animal control commission or police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every pet need a microchip in Milwaukee?
What do I have to do when I transfer a microchipped pet to a new owner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
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