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1. What is a microchip implant?

A microchip implant is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery - it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area. The chip transmits the identification number on the scanner. The identification number is then linked to the owner’s information.

2. Why is it necessary to get my pet microchipped?

The best reason to have your pet’s microchipped is to improve the chances to be reunited with your pet, if it becomes lost or stolen.

3. What are the statistics of microchipped returned pets?

More than 2,765,526 pets are microchipped and the numbers are increasing each day! Microchips are responsible for reuniting more than 258,032 lost pets with their owners.*

In 2014 at the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center, 49 pets with microchips were safely reunited with their owner.**

*Statistics are from homeagainid.com and avidmicrochip.com.

**Statistics are from Chameleon software used by Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center.

4. How old does my pet have to be in order to be microchipped?

As per Brownsville City Ordinance, all dogs and cats over the age of 4 months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. (Ordinance 2015-971-G Sec. 10-1133a)

5. How does microchipping work?

1. Scan the pet to verify whether he or she has a microchip that has been previously implanted.
2. Scan the microchip to determine that it is functional, and that the ID code matches the accompanying bar code labels.
3. Implant the microchip, then rescan the pet to verify that the microchip can be localized.
4. If your pet ever gets lost or stolen, shelters and veterinarians can scan the pet for a microchip and retrieve any owner information from the database.
5. Once owner’s information is retrieved the pet is returned safely home.

6. How is a microchip implanted into my pet?

It is injected under the skin of the animal using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection such as vaccination.

7. I have heard that microchips can migrate within a pet, is this true?

A microchip may travel under the skin of a pet with little body fat and end up in another location of the body. As a result, pets are scanned all over their body to ensure that the microchip is located.

8. What if I do not have my pet microchipped, can I take it to the shelter and have it done?

Absolutely! Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center will gladly add an active microchip that will be registered to you for a small fee of $5.

9. My pet suffers from a rare condition and is unable to receive a microchip, will I be in violation and penalized?

Microchip requirements of the City of Brownsville Ordinance shall not apply to any dog or cat with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily injury if implanted with a microchip identification due to the health conditions of the animal. The owner must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a Texas licensed veterinarian. If the dog or cat can be safely implanted with an identifying microchip at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation. (Ordinance 2015-971-G, Section 10-1133 B-1)

10. I am going to visit Brownsville for a short time and will be taking my pet. If my pet gets impounded while in Brownsville, would I have to microchip my pet in order for the shelter to release it?

Microchip requirements of the City of Brownsville Ordinance shall not apply to a pet that is owned by an individual that does not reside in the City of Brownsville. (Ordinance 2015-971 G Section 10-1133 B-2)

11. What are the penalties for not providing my pet with a microchip?

Any person violating any section of the ordinance is subject to punishment as set forth in Chapter 1, General provisions, Section 1-13 General Penalty, of the code of Ordinance of the City of Brownsville. Such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof in which the violation is continued or permitted. (Section 54-182 Violations and Penalties)

12. Do I have to get the microchip from the shelter if my pet was impounded or can I choose a veterinarian to apply the microchip?

You can choose your own veterinarian. When an impounded dog or cat without a microchip identification, in addition to satisfying impound fees, the owner shall also have the dog or cat implanted with a microchip by a veterinarian (or other person legally qualified to implant microchips in cats and dogs) selected by the owner. The owner shall pay the cost of the City transporting the animal to the veterinarian for the implantation and, when the veterinarian certifies in writing that the microchip has been implanted and all charges of the impound facility have been paid, the animal shall be released to the owner. (Ordinance 2015-971-G Section 10-113 D)