The big picture
Last spring, City Council moved to require pet microchipping for all animals in city limits. At that time, officials also asked to:
- Make sure all of Austin's public safety stations, community centers and libraries have microchip scanners
- Promote free access to microchipping services
- Develop public education materials on microchip availability and city enforcement
Pet owners will now have to keep current microchip registration for all their animals and update that information if they move or if a pet changes owners.
The new requirement doesn't come with any formal penalties for non-compliance. Any owners found to have pets without microchips will receive educational materials about the process from the Animal Services Office.
The outlook
City staff said the update will "promote successful pet ownership and ensure the welfare of animals" in Austin, in addition to helping locate lost pets and supporting the city's strained shelter system.
“Reuniting lost dogs and cats with their families is a communitywide project. I’m excited that Austin is moving forward with mandatory microchipping, and I hope local pet owners will take this important step towards protecting their furry friends," council member Chito Vela, who sponsored the initial proposal last year, said in a statement.
Animal Services Director Don Bland also highlighted the new policy's potential to connect more lost pets with their owners and reduce some crowding at the shelter.
"Our hope is that this will give animals the ability to get back home without ever having to enter the shelter. Currently we see about one percent of the animals arriving at the shelter with a microchip. While they cannot tell us how to contact their family, the microchip can," Bland said.
The Austin Animal Center currently provides free microchipping services and pet ID tags during business hours.
