Microchipping: Long Beach vs Los Angeles
How do microchipping rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Long Beach has fewer restrictions than Los Angeles.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Long Beach requires every licensed dog and cat to carry an ISO-compliant microchip registered to the owner, with chips installed at low cost during LBACS clinics or at any licensed vet.
View full Long Beach rules →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LAMC §53.15.3 requires every dog and cat over four months old in Los Angeles to be implanted with a registered microchip. LA Animal Services microchips all adopted, redeemed, and licensed animals before release, and California state law also requires shelter chips before transfer.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Required for | All licensed dogs and cats | - |
| Chip standard | ISO 11784/11785 | - |
| Update window | Thirty days after move | - |
| Code section | LBMC 6.16.045 | LAMC §53.15.3 |
| Age threshold | - | Four months old |
| Implants at shelter | - | Yes, before release |
| Update registration | - | Whenever owner data changes |
| State backup | - | CA Food & Ag Code §31108 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Is microchipping painful or risky?
It is a quick injection between the shoulder blades comparable to a vaccination, performed without anesthesia in seconds; serious complications are rare per the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Where can I get a low-cost microchip in Long Beach?
LB Animal Care Services hosts monthly clinics at the East Willow shelter and partners with SPCA Los Angeles for chips around $25 including lifetime registration.
Los Angeles FAQ
Does my pet have to be chipped if I never adopted from a shelter?
Yes. LAMC §53.15.3 applies to every dog and cat over four months living in Los Angeles, regardless of where they came from. Most veterinarians and Animal Services clinics implant chips inexpensively.
What happens if my chip information is out of date?
Animal Services cannot reunite you with a lost pet. Update your chip registry immediately after moving, changing phone numbers, or rehoming the animal to avoid impound fees and possible citations.
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