Is microchipping your dog or cat required by law?
Guide summary
- Typical cost
- about $48
- Reading time
- 3 min
- Sources
- 5
- Updated
There's no federal law requiring pet owners to microchip dogs or cats in the US. In 2021, Hawaii became the first state to require owners to microchip their pets, and some cities and counties have their own microchip rules. Many shelters and rescues also microchip every animal before adoption. Even where it isn't required, a registered microchip is the most reliable way to get a lost pet back home.
What the law says
- Federal level: no microchip requirement for pets.
- States: Hawaii requires dogs to be both licensed and microchipped. A few states require microchips in specific situations, such as dogs declared dangerous.
- Shelters: as of 2022, 12 states and Washington, D.C., required shelters, pounds or animal control to scan found animals for a microchip. California requires public shelters to microchip dogs and cats before adopting them out.
- Cities and counties: some include microchipping in their animal ordinances, sometimes alongside licensing or spay/neuter rules.
Rules change, so check your state and local animal control website. Licensing is a separate requirement in many places: see dog license requirements.
How a microchip works
A microchip is a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice, placed under the skin between the shoulder blades with a needle, much like a vaccine. It doesn't have GPS and doesn't need a battery: when a vet or shelter passes a scanner over it, it shows a unique number. That number is only useful if it's registered with your current contact details.
How to register (the step many owners miss)
- Register the chip with the manufacturer's registry or another pet recovery database right after it's implanted. Your vet or shelter will give you the chip number.
- Keep your details up to date whenever you move or change your phone number.
- Check your registration using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup tool, which shows which registries have information on a chip number.
- Ask your vet to scan the chip at yearly checkups to make sure it still reads.
What it costs
A microchip costs about $48 on average at a US vet clinic (Synchrony/CareCredit 2025-2026 cost study), and Rover's 2026 survey puts microchip plus ID tags at $30-$80. Some registries charge a one-time or yearly fee. Shelters and low-cost clinics often microchip for less, and adoption fees usually include it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a microchip replace an ID tag or a license?
No. Anyone who finds your pet can read an ID tag without a scanner, and a license tag is required by many cities and counties. Use all three: chip, ID tag and license.
Can a microchip track my pet's location?
No. Standard microchips have no GPS. For live tracking you'd need a GPS collar, which works alongside the chip.
Does my indoor cat need a microchip?
It's strongly recommended. Indoor cats do slip out through open doors and windows, and without a chip or collar, a shelter has no way to find you.
Do I need a special microchip to travel abroad?
Many countries, including the European Union, require an ISO-standard (15-digit) microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccine. Check the rules for your destination well before you travel.
Sources
- FAQ: Mandatory Scans for Microchips (Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University)
- HI - Dog - General Dog Provisions (Animal Legal & Historical Center)
- AAHA Pet Microchip Registry Lookup (American Animal Hospital Association)
- Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs (CareCredit)
- The Cost of Dog Parenthood in 2026 (Rover)
This article is for general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet's health, call your vet clinic.
