Under SDMC §44.0403, every dog or cat licensed in San Diego must be implanted with a registered microchip and the registry data kept current. California Food and Agricultural Code §31108 also requires shelter chipping before any animal is released to an adopter.
SDMC §44.0403 ties microchipping directly to dog and cat licensing in San Diego: the licensing process verifies the animal has a registered microchip, and Animal Services scans every impounded pet on intake. Owners who change address, phone number, or rehome the animal must update the microchip registry within set timelines so reunification works. Statewide, California Civil Code §1834.4 and Food and Agricultural Code §31108 require shelters and rescues to microchip animals before any adoption, redemption, or transfer. San Diego Humane Society implants chips at adoption and offers low-cost chip clinics.
Selling or rehoming an unchipped animal in violation of state shelter law is a citable offense. Impound reclaim fees rise sharply for unchipped or unlicensed animals, and continued non-compliance after notice may bring misdemeanor referral.
San Diego, CA
San Diego does not impose blanket mandatory spay/neuter, but SDMC §44.04 charges sharply higher license fees for unaltered dogs and requires breeding permits...
San Diego, CA
San Diego does not require leashes for cats but requires rabies vaccination once a cat is over four months old, and any cat off the owner's property may be i...
See how San Diego's microchipping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.