Animal Control encourages microchipping of pets

City of Las Cruces Animal Control reminds dog and cat owners of the importance of microchipping their pets and updating registration information when changes are made.

When dispatched to a found dog or cat, Animal Control officers first scan the pet to determine if it is microchipped. If the pet is microchipped, the officer will contact the owner and return the pet as soon as possible, the Las Cruces Police Department said in a news release.

 However, Animal Control officers are finding that many dogs and cats are not microchipped or tagged, LCPD said, and some pets that are chipped have outdated information. That makes it difficult to determine ownership. If the pet’s owner cannot be determined or contacted, the pet is taken to the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV).

If the dog or cat has no tag or microchip, ASCMV is required to keep the pet for only three days, the news release said. If the pet has a tag or chip, ASCMV must keep the pet housed for at least five days.

A Las Cruces city ordinance adopted in 2019 requires that all dogs and cats be microchipped, the police department said. The ordinance requires phone or address changes or updates in the pet’s ownership to be updated within 30 days of those changes.

Pet owners found guilty of allowing their pet to be unrestrained can be fined up to $500 and/or given a sentence of 90 days incarceration.

ASCMV, 3551 Bataan Memorial West, offers pet microchipping for $10 each.

Call ASCMV for 575-382-0018.

Visit www.lascruces.gov/1270/Animal-Control. Visit https://ascmv.org/ and click on “Services” near the top of the page.