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Stamford, CT Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
§ 111-7.B(1)(c), Ch. 111
Required for
cats allowed to roam outside owner's property
Also covers
small mammals adopted from SACCC (§ 111-8.E)
Shelter animals
microchipped before every adoption (§ 111-10.C)
Funding
city Dog Fund pays for chipping (§ 111-10.D)
Fine for non-compliance
$100 after 30-day grace period

Summary

A Stamford cat can only roam free outside its owner's property if it's 'appropriately micro-chipped or otherwise identifiable,' one of three conditions in Code of Ordinances § 111-7.B(1)(c), alongside spay/neuter and rabies vaccination. The city's shelter separately microchips every animal, including small mammals, before adoption.

B.Roaming Cats.(1)No cat owner/keeper shall permit such cat(s) to run free outside his/her property unless said cat(s) has been:(a)Neutered or spayed;(b)Immunized against rabies in compliance with CT law; and(c)Appropriately micro-chipped or otherwise identifiable. Sec. 111-8.E. The SACCC shall spay/neuter and microchip, where appropriate, before adopting out small mammals that are found or turned in. Sec. 111-10.C. The SACCC shall assure that every animal leaving the shelter for adoption or transfer to an animal welfare agency for adoption or fostering shall be neutered/spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Vaccinations for dogs shall include rabies, distemper, Bordetella and parvovirus. Vaccinations for cats shall include rabies and feline distemper.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).

Full Breakdown

F enforcement process. The microchip duty extends beyond pet cats already in a home. A to include rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils and ferrets, where appropriate before adopting them out. C goes further for the shelter's own animals generally: every animal leaving the shelter for adoption or transfer to an animal welfare agency for adoption or fostering must be neutered or spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, with dogs also vaccinated for distemper, Bordetella and parvovirus and cats for feline distemper. D. A.

Violations & Fines

A cat roaming without a microchip or other identification, along with the spay/neuter and rabies conditions, fails § 111-7.B(1) and exposes the owner to the § 111-7.F enforcement process: a notice of violation from the Animal Control Manager, a 30-day window to comply, and a $100 fine if the violation isn't fixed by then, with each further day a separate violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Stamford require my cat to be microchipped?
Only if you let it roam free outside your own property. Section 111-7.B(1)(c) makes being 'appropriately micro-chipped or otherwise identifiable' one of three conditions, along with spay/neuter and a rabies vaccination, for a roaming cat; a cat that stays on your property isn't covered.
Does the city microchip shelter animals?
Yes. Section 111-10.C requires the SACCC to have every animal leaving the shelter for adoption or transfer, including dogs and cats, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Section 111-8.E extends the same microchipping duty to small mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets adopted out where appropriate.
Who pays for the microchipping?
The Stamford Animal Control and Care Center can use the city's Dog Fund, money collected from dog license fees, to cover neutering and microchipping costs under § 111-10.D, in addition to using it to sustain healthy animals that aren't currently adoptable.
What happens if my unchipped cat is found roaming?
It fails the roaming-cat conditions in § 111-7.B(1), which exposes you to a notice of violation from the Animal Control Manager under § 111-7.F, a 30-day period to comply, and a $100 fine if the cat still isn't compliant after that, with each further day a new violation.

Sources & Official References

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All Stamford rules

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