Santa Clara County Animal Services microchips every dog and cat adopted, redeemed, or released from its shelter and registers the chip to the new owner. San Jose and other cities now require microchips at licensing, expanding the mandate beyond shelter exits.
SCC Animal Services Authority microchips every dog and cat adopted, redeemed, or transferred from its shelter and registers the chip to the recipient before release. Officers scan every impounded animal at intake to speed reunification. The county does not impose a universal owner-microchip mandate, but San Jose Municipal Code chapter 7.04 and several other cities now require microchipping for any dog or cat receiving a city license. Owners must keep registry contact information current. The mandate works alongside rabies and sterilization rules and helps reduce unclaimed shelter intakes.
In cities with microchip mandates, failing to chip a licensed pet, or letting registry data lapse, draws citations starting near fifty dollars. Animals impounded without traceable chips may incur additional reclaim fees before release to the owner.
See how Santa Clara's microchipping rules stack up against other locations.
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