Since Hawaii passed a pet microchip requirement law in 2021, additional states/municipalities added similar regulations, including California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. And now, effective August 1, 2024, all dogs and cats over the age of 4 months residing in the city of Las Vegas must have a microchip.
Las Vegas pet owners must register their contact information and microchip numbers with the microchip registration company and Animal Protection Services through the animal pet licensing program. If there’s a change in ownership, information must be changed within 30 days.
The new requirements do not apply to an animal whose owner has resided within the city fewer than 30 days or to an animal brought into the city temporarily for a show or exhibition.
Breeders will be required to comply with the new ordinance. They need to ensure that all dogs and cats offered for sale have been microchipped before being transported to a pet shop or sold.
Violations of the ordinance can result in a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment up to six months, or a combination of both a fine and prison.
