Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Section 6-41 of the Animal Care Services Ordinance makes it unlawful to "own or harbor a dog, cat, or ferret over the age of three months without obtaining a license," though a non-county resident keeping the animal in the county fewer than 30 consecutive days is exempt. Applications go through the animal care services department and must list the legal owner's name and mailing and physical address; knowingly falsifying that information is itself unlawful. Owners can buy a one-year license or a three-year license if the animal carries a current three-year rabies certificate valid for at least two-thirds of the license period, and a lapsed license triggers a penalty fee on top of the renewal cost if not renewed within 30 days of expiration.

Subsection (e) is the operative microchip rule: "Pet identification is mandatory. The method of identification shall include a microchip." The county layers that requirement on top of the physical license tag, which must stay affixed to the animal's collar or harness except while it is kenneled, hospitalized, in a bona fide show, or actively being trained. Identification information has to be kept current with the animal care services department, tags cannot be transferred between animals, and a sterilized-animal license classification requires written certification from a licensed veterinarian. Qualified service animals are exempt only from the license fee itself under subsection (j); every other licensing and microchip obligation still applies to them.