LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Pet owners in Las Vegas must microchip their pets by Thursday, or they may find themselves in trouble with the City of Las Vegas.

Beginning Aug. 1, all dogs and cats four months and older within city limits are required to have a microchip. The penalty for not complying is a fine of up to $1,000 or even jail time.

The goal of a microchip is to reduce the strain on shelters by quickly returning animals to their owners.

A microchip is a tiny electronic chip about half the size of a grain of rice. It’s implanted under the animal’s skin but it is not a tracking device. Microchips contain a unique and identifiable number that can be scanned.  

“It’s a great permanent identification for your pet,” Danielle Harney, Animal Control Administrator for the City of Henderson, said.

The Animal Foundation said requiring microchips will hopefully alleviate overcrowded shelters. Currently, about 65% of the shelter’s intakes come in as strays and often are not reunited with their owners.

“When we look statistically, our rate of return for animals that get to the shelter is like, under 30%,” Hilarie Grey, CEO of the Animal Foundation, said.

She said the more options they have, the better the outcome.

“It really is kind of a layered system if you think about it that way,” Grey, added

Each city and county, however, has its own set of rules when it comes to microchipping.

“We would love to see the other jurisdictions do similar, but in some areas of the county where municipalities have done that, they’ve dropped licensing in favor of microchipping, they don’t have both,” Grey said.

Unincorporated Clark County only requires pets to wear a collar with ID and rabies tag.

“Clark County is currently monitoring the new law recently passed by the City of Las Vegas and evaluating whether this is an option for our jurisdiction, any changes determined to be prudent and effective will be recommended through our ordinance process to the Board for consideration.”

Clark County spokesperson

The City of North Las Vegas requires pets to be licensed, although according to a spokesperson they have discussed microchip requirements as well.

The City of Henderson requires pets to be licensed but is not planning to institute a microchip ordinance.

“We don’t plan on making microchipping required for pet licensing. We really want to make sure the animal is spayed and neutered and current on rabies,” Harney said.

She added that any identification is only as good as its data.

“It’s really no different than a collar with a tag. We have animals that come in all the time with collars, but if the tag isn’t updated it does no good. The same thing with a microchip,” Harney mentioned.

On Sep. 14, Nevada SPCA will host a free vaccine and microchip clinic at Silverado Ranch Community Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Animal Foundation additionally offers microchipping at the cost of $35. To make an appointment, visit The Animal Foundation