San Marcos, CA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

130 governs how an impounded animal gets back to its owner and what it costs. Subsection (a) lets an owner of an impounded animal not subject to abatement claim it by providing proper identification, meeting all requirements and paying the applicable redemption fees. Subsection (b) adds an altering deposit for any unaltered dog or cat redeemed after being found at large, refundable within 30 days of redemption if the owner proves the animal was altered by a licensed veterinarian, or by five months of age for animals under four months old at redemption; a veterinarian's written certification that altering isn't advisable for health reasons, or that the animal is already altered, also triggers a refund.

Subsection (c) forfeits that deposit to the County if no proof or certification is filed in time, with forfeited funds offsetting animal control costs. Subsection (d) is the microchip provision: when an impounded animal is found at large without any identification, the Animal Control Authority may require the owner to pay for microchip implantation, on top of other redemption fees set by City Council resolution, unless the owner objects to the implant. The rule is narrower than a universal microchip mandate. It only reaches unidentified animals already picked up running loose, and it gives the owner an opt-out, making it a conditional fee-and-identification tool tied to the impound process rather than a blanket citywide chip requirement for every pet.