Wichita, KS Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Sec. 040(f)(15) makes it unlawful to "own, keep or harbor a dog or cat over the age of five months that has not been microchipped," with the sole exception being a veterinary determination that a microchip would be dangerous or not in the animal's best interest for that specific pet. This is a universal, standing ownership duty that applies whether or not the animal has ever run at large, and it sits among the fourteen other prohibited acts listed in Sec. 040(f), including animal fighting and public nuisance.

It layers on top of a narrower, impoundment-triggered microchip duty in Sec. 040(b)(1): if an unaltered dog is impounded for running at large, the owner must have it microchipped and registered with the City as a condition of redemption, separate from the general (f)(15) ownership rule. Because the general five-month microchip mandate in (f)(15) is not one of the offenses individually priced in the Sec. 190(a) fine schedule, a violation of it defaults to that section's general misdemeanor penalty of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail.

By contrast, the narrower impound-related failure to microchip under Sec. 00 per court appearance, a materially lower fine reserved for the redemption-triggered duty rather than the standing citywide requirement. Sec. 190(b) makes each day of noncompliance a separate offense. An owner disputing an Animal Services order tied to microchipping can appeal to the City Council within 14 calendar days under Sec. 210(a), with further appeal available to District Court.