With Austin Animal Center chronically at capacity, council approves requiring pet microchips

This story has been updated with new information.

The Austin City Council approved an ordinance Thursday that will soon require residents to microchip their pets.

The action comes at a time when the Austin Animal Center, the city's centralized animal shelter, has struggled with overcapacity issues over most of the past decade. This year, the shelter has averaged more than 500 animals at any given point, about 50 more than its capacity, according to Austin Animal Services Director Don Bland.

"Houston, Dallas, San Antonio — everyone except for Austin has done this," Bland told the American-Statesman in an interview prior to Thursday's vote. "We are behind the curve."

Previously: Austin Animal Center temporarily pauses intake as it remains at critical capacity

District 4 City Council Member José “Chito” Vela, who led the charge on the dais to promote microchipping pets last year, told the Statesman prior to the vote on the ordinance would serve as a "firm suggestion."

The hope is that veterinarians can now tell people the city requires microchipping, and thus more individuals will opt to get their new pets chipped at the vet, Vela said. Having more animals microchipped is meant to reduce the capacity burden on the animal shelter and make it easier for a lost pet to get home.

"Hopefully, that change in and of itself will boost the number of pets in the Austin area that are microchipped," Vela told the Statesman.

Using a syringe, the microchips – which are about the size of a large grain of rice – are placed under an animal’s skin, usually at the back of the neck, between the shoulder blades. Each chip contains unique information – a bit like a car’s vehicle identification number – and can be accessed with an electronic scanner. If the chip is registered, the owner can be contacted that their pet has been found.

The ordinance will go into effect in 10 days, according to a spokesperson from Vela's office.

Would the Austin ordinance apply to my pet?

The ordinance will apply to all pets older than four months — excluding wildlife or livestock. It will not have an enforcement measure. Those found not in compliance will be provided "with educational materials on microchipping," according to the draft proposal.

Where can I microchip my pet in Austin?

The city offers free microchipping at the Austin Animal Center seven days a week. The center, at 7201 Levander Loop in East Austin, is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bland said it costs the city less than $3 to microchip an animal. In contrast, it costs the city about $54 a day to provide basic services to a shelter animal.

Bland said the city distributed microchip scanners to parks and recreation facilities, fire departments, libraries and some police substations in 2019.

"If you have a microchip, then we can contact that person and let them know: 'Hey, we've got your pet'," Vela said. "It improves the return rate for the animals."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: With Austin Animal Center chronically at capacity, council approves requiring pet microchips