Multnomah County does not currently require microchipping of all dogs and cats, but microchipping is mandatory for any animal designated 'potentially dangerous' under MCC 13.401 and is required for the discounted lifetime license tag program under MCC 13.301. All animals impounded by Multnomah County Animal Services are scanned for microchips on intake under MCC 13.701, and unclaimed sterilized animals are typically microchipped before adoption.
MCC Chapter 13 does not include a general microchipping mandate of the type adopted in Los Angeles or San Diego. However, microchipping is required in three specific contexts: (1) any dog designated 'potentially dangerous' (Level 1-3) under MCC 13.401-13.413 must be microchipped as a condition of the designation order; (2) the County's reduced-fee 'lifetime license' tag program requires a verified microchip linked to the owner's contact information; and (3) MCAS routinely microchips dogs and cats before adoption from the Troutdale shelter. Portland Police Bureau and MCAS field officers carry universal microchip scanners and check every impounded animal under MCC 13.701. Microchip registration must be kept current — outdated registration is the most common reason chipped pets aren't reunited with owners. Oregon ORS 609.108 also requires shelters to scan for chips before euthanizing or transferring an animal.
There is no civil penalty for failing to microchip a non-dangerous pet voluntarily. Failure to microchip a dog designated 'potentially dangerous' under MCC 13.401 is a violation of the designation order under MCC 13.405 with fines that can exceed $500 and possible impoundment. Failure of a shelter to scan for a chip before euthanasia is enforced under Oregon ORS 609.108.
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