Maricopa County Animal Care and Control microchips every dog and cat before adoption from its East and West Valley shelters. The county has no mandate for owned pets, but a chip is strongly recommended and is the fastest way to reclaim a lost pet from MCACC.
Every animal adopted from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is microchipped, sterilized, and vaccinated before release. There is no countywide ordinance requiring microchipping of pets already owned, but vets, rescues, and the Arizona Humane Society routinely chip dogs and cats during routine visits, often for less than thirty dollars. MCACC scans every stray it intakes; a registered chip lets the owner be contacted before the holding period ends. Owners must keep registration data current with the chip provider — outdated phone numbers and addresses are the leading reason chipped pets are not returned home. The county registers chips through its dog license database when offered.
No fine applies for an unchipped pet. The real risk: a lost unchipped dog or cat may be adopted out or euthanized after the stray hold period ends. Outdated registration is treated like no chip.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle microchipping.
See how Tempe's microchipping rules stack up against other locations.
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