Watsonville, CA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Section 6-1.417 of the Watsonville Municipal Code opens flatly: all dogs and cats over the age of four (4) months must be implanted with an identifying microchip, and the section does not replace the dog licensing requirements of Chapter 1. Three exemptions are printed. A dog or cat with a high likelihood of serious bodily injury from implantation is exempt on written confirmation from a California-licensed veterinarian, which must state a later implant date if the animal can safely be chipped. An animal kenneled or trained in the City of Watsonville but owned by a non-resident is exempt if the owner follows the licensing and rabies rules of the home jurisdiction. A dog that is tattooed and registered with the National Dog Registry is also exempt.

Transfers carry their own paperwork. An owner offering a dog over four (4) months for sale, trade or adoption must give the microchip number and the valid dog license number with the offer, and both numbers must appear on the transfer document. An owner offering a cat over four (4) months must give the microchip number with the offer and on the document.

Impound adds a mandatory step. When an impounded dog or cat has no microchip, the owner must, on top of the impound fees under the chapter, either have a County Animal Shelter microchip implanted at the owner's expense or use a County Animal Shelter-approved microchip placed by a California-licensed veterinarian of the owner's choosing. In the second route the veterinarian returns a confirming statement to the County Animal Shelter within ten (10) days. The microchip fee is included in the adoption cost at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, and all fees and fines collected under the section go to the County of Santa Cruz Animal Shelter.