Las Vegas requiring microchips for cats and dogs
Volunteer Karin Lemmon uses a reader to check the number of an AVID (American Veterinary Identification Device) microchip after injecting it under the skin of a kitten at the Bonanza Cat Hospital Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
Published Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 | 1:12 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 | 3:59 p.m.
Pet owners in Las Vegas will have to microchip their cats and dogs following a 7-0 vote of the City Council requiring the chips that can identify lost animals.
“We’re gonna be able to get these pets back into the hands of their owners,” Councilman Cedric Crear said.
City officials say the chips also help reduce overcrowding and strain on shelters and rescue organizations.
The ordinance, which takes effect Aug. 1, makes it “unlawful for any person to own or harbor a dog or cat over the age of 4 months unless the animal has been implanted with microchip identification.” Pet owners must also register the chip with the proper entities within 30 days.
The average cost to microchip a pet is between $25-$50.
The Animal Foundation of Las Vegas at 655 N. Mojave Road from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays offers microchipping of dogs and cats for $25. Call (702) 384-3333 for an appointment. Additionally, some pet adoption groups also include the microchip in the price of the adoption.
Some area animal shelters have seen an increase in pet rescues and surrenders in recent months, and many have become overpopulated.
Last summer, the Animal Foundation had about 750 cats, dogs and other animals up for adoption, up 25% compared to 2021.
The Nevada SPCA reports that 1 in 3 family pets will get lost, saying dogs who have a microchip are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners. For cats, those with a microchip are more than 20% more likely to be reunited with their owner.