Virginia Beach does not require pet microchipping, but the Animal Care and Adoption Center microchips all adopted pets and strongly recommends voluntary chipping for any cat or dog citywide.
Microchipping is voluntary under Virginia Beach City Code Chapter 5, though Virginia Code 3.2-6566 permits localities to use chip data when reuniting strays with owners. Every pet adopted from the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center receives a microchip as part of the adoption fee. Owners should register chip numbers with national databases (HomeAgain, AKC Reunite) and update contact information after moves. Animal Control scans every impounded animal upon intake. Microchipped pets are returned to owners far more reliably than tag-only pets, especially after Hampton Roads storms when pets escape damaged yards.
No penalties exist for failing to microchip. Owners of unchipped strays may face longer reclaim times, additional boarding fees, and potential adoption to new families after the seven-day hold expires.
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