All Las Vegas Dogs And Cats Must Now Be Microchipped
Animal lovers in Las Vegas, listen up. Things are changing — in a very good way.
Time To Microchip Your Dog And Cats In Las Vegas
Very soon, all dogs and cats in the City of Las Vegas will be required to have microchips. The Las Vegas City Council unanimously passed the ordinance. Finally!
I’ve found so many stray dogs and cats over the 30 years I’ve lived in Las Vegas. And rarely has an animal been chipped, which is very frustrating. Hard to get an animal back to its owner without a chip, or collar.
But collars can fall off. Microchips cannot.
Lori Heeren, Executive Director of the Las Vegas NSPCA, told me that Las Vegas is one of the “worst cities in the country” for stray pets. Which is why shelters in Las Vegas are so overcrowded. Microchipping can help rectify that.
You Can Be Charged With A Misdemeanor If Your Animal Is Not Chipped
According to the new ordinance, beginning August 1, 2024, all dogs or cats over the age of four months old, living in the city of Las Vegas will have to have a microchip.
Owners will then be required to register their contact information and microchip numbers with the microchip registration company, and Animal Protection Services animal pet licensing program.
If the animal’s owners change, the chip information will have to be changed within 30 days.
Breeders will also be required to follow the rules, and obey the ordinance. And all dogs and cats offered for sale must be microchipped before being sold, or taken to a pet shop to sell.
City officials say that those violating the ordinance will be charged with a misdemeanor, and may be punished by a fine of up to $1,000, and up to six months in jail. They are very serious about this.
Few Exceptions To The New Rule
City officials, and the Animal Protective Services team will have programs to encourage microchipping, and help owners with chipping their pets.
Do you have questions on microchipping? Here is a list of frequently asked questions that might help. Just know that microchipping is quick, easy, and NOT painful for your fur babies.