Microchipping: New York vs Philadelphia
How do microchipping rules compare between New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA?
New York and Philadelphia have similar restriction levels.
New York, NY
New York County
New York City does not require all dogs and cats to be microchipped, but Animal Care Centers of NYC implants a registered microchip in every animal adopted, redeemed, or transferred. Licensed dogs must wear ID, and DOHMH urges chipping to speed lost-pet reunification.
View full New York rules →Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia County
Philadelphia does not require microchips on all pets, but ACCT Philly and partner rescues microchip every dog and cat before adoption. Pennsylvania has no statewide chip mandate, though chipped pets recover faster from city shelters. Owners must keep registry contact info current.
View full Philadelphia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | New York | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Owner mandate | None citywide | - |
| Shelter chips | Yes, before release | - |
| Dog license | Required, Health Code §161.04 | - |
| Cat license | Not required | - |
| Provider | ACC, ASPCA, vets | - |
| Citywide mandate | - | Not required |
| Shelter standard | - | ACCT Philly chips at adoption |
| Registry | - | AAHA Universal Lookup |
| Stray hold | - | Roughly 48 hours |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
New York FAQ
Is a microchip required for my dog or cat in NYC?
Not by city law. Dogs must be licensed under Health Code §161.04 and wear ID tags, but microchipping is optional for owners. ACC chips every adopted animal automatically before release.
How do I update my pet's chip information after moving?
Contact the chip registry printed on your adoption paperwork, often 24PetWatch or HomeAgain, and update phone and address online. ACC keeps a separate registry for pets adopted through its shelters.
Philadelphia FAQ
Is microchipping required for dogs in Philadelphia?
No. Philadelphia and Pennsylvania do not mandate microchips. ACCT Philly chips every adopted pet, and chipping is strongly recommended because lost dogs without ID may only be held briefly before adoption.
I moved — how do I update my pet's chip?
Log in to the registry shown on your chip paperwork (HomeAgain, 24PetWatch, AKC Reunite, etc.) and edit address and phone. AAHA Universal Lookup at petmicrochiplookup.org tells you which database holds your number.
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