Elkhart County, IN Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Chapter 90 of the Elkhart County Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ordinance 09-396 on December 7, 2009, defines MICROCHIP at § 90.01 as 'a tiny computer chip, implanted underneath the skin of an animal that contains identification information relating to that animal.' The chapter uses that definition in two operative places. First, § 90.10(D), the impoundment procedures section, requires that stray animals picked up by or turned in to an animal control facility 'shall be scanned by the animal control facility for an identifying microchip unless doing so presents an unnecessary hazard to the animal control agent.' If the scan identifies an owner, or the animal carries other identification with an address or phone number, the facility must notify the owner by the end of the next business day. Under § 90.10(E), if no identification or microchip turns up but the facility's own records show an owner, staff attempt to return the animal and, failing that, mail written notice; the animal may be adopted out or humanely euthanized if unclaimed within ten days on a first occurrence, or five days on any later occurrence.

Second, § 90.12(A)(8) makes microchipping mandatory in one specific circumstance: a person registering a DANGEROUS ANIMAL with County Code Enforcement must submit 'proof of microchip implanting and the identification information implanted' alongside a driver's license, ownership proof, current rabies records, $300,000 in liability insurance, four photographs of the animal, and proof of spay or neuter. Outside the dangerous-animal registration and stray-scanning contexts, Chapter 90 does not impose a general microchipping mandate on every pet owner in unincorporated Elkhart County.