San Jose requires every licensed dog and cat to be microchipped under SJMC chapter 6.06. Owners must keep contact information current with their chip registry. Microchips dramatically improve return-to-owner rates at the city shelter and are scanned on every impounded animal.
Under SJMC chapter 6.06, San Jose Animal Care and Services conditions issuance and renewal of dog and cat licenses on the pet being microchipped. Owners must register the chip with a recognized recovery service and update phone, address, and email after any move. Animal Care and Services scans every impounded animal on intake; chipped pets often go home the same day, while unchipped strays enter the regular hold and adoption pipeline. The city periodically offers low-cost or free microchipping clinics to reduce cost barriers, and many veterinarians implant chips during routine spay or neuter surgery.
Citations issue for licensed pets without a microchip and for owners who do not update registry contact details. Fines start near fifty to one hundred dollars and license renewal can be denied until compliance, which slows return of impounded pets.
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