The Seattle Animal Shelter microchips every dog, cat, and rabbit adopted from the facility. SMC 9.25 does not mandate microchipping for all owned pets, but chips dramatically improve return rates for impounded animals.
Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) policy includes microchip implantation in every adoption, with the chip registered to the new owner before pickup. The cost is bundled into the adoption fee. For owned pets not from SAS, microchipping is voluntary but strongly encouraged; the shelter offers walk-in microchip clinics for $25 including registration. SAS scans every impounded animal and contacts the registered owner directly, reducing impound stays. Washington has no statewide microchip mandate. Microchip registration must be kept current; outdated owner contact info is the leading cause of failed reunions. Owners moving or changing phones should update with their chip registry (HomeAgain, AKC Reunite, 24PetWatch, etc.).
No fine for unchipped pets. Failure to update chip after ownership change: minor administrative issue. Chip removal/tampering: animal cruelty under RCW 16.52.
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