BARC Reminds Houston Residents About Pet Chipping and Hosts Free Microchipping Events

HOUSTON Don’t forget, pet owners! According to the city ordinance, those who have cats and dogs are now required to have their pets microchipped.

BARC, the City of Houston Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, is reminding the public that the one-year grace period to enforce the city’s new mandatory microchipping requirement has come to an end on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

To help the public comply with the new requirements, BARC is offering free microchips for pets owned by Houston residents. Free microchips will be available Monday and Tuesday from 8 am to 10 am at 3300 Carr St. while supplies last.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Houston City Council unanimously approved updates to Chapter 6 of the City Code of Ordinances relating to animal welfare, including mandatory microchipping. This change replaced the previously used license tags for all owned dogs and cats with a microchip, making it easier to return lost pets to their owners. Animal advocates can now reunite lost pets with their owners in the field, bypassing the need to take them to a shelter for acceptance and care.

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“BARC knows that you love your pets and want to make sure that if they are ever lost or stolen, they can always return home. Microchipping can make this possible. And it’s simple and inexpensive,” said Greg Damianoff, director of BARC Shelter. “Take your pets to an affordable BARC wellness clinic or your personal veterinarian who will implant the microchip and explain how it works and how to register your information on HoustonBARC.com. That way, the animal welfare organization that finds your pet can scan its microchip and arrange for its safe return.”

Seen at 7: Microchips are required for Houston Pets

Microchipping your pet is now part of the city’s three-step pet registration process. The city’s municipal code requires that anyone who owns, keeps, owns or controls a dog or cat four months of age or older must register their pet, vaccinate it against rabies annually, and register a microchip. Residents can also speak to their veterinarian or contact the BARC Health Clinic for more information on how to microchip their pets. Click here For more information.