06/11/2026
Let’s talk 💉 MICROCHIPS 💉
No, microchipping your pet is not the government tracking your dog/cat. I promise your beloved pet is not THAT important to the government. If your pet gets lost, a vet or shelter can scan them and pull up YOUR contact info (as long as it’s registered to you, if it’s not we can figure out who chipped the animal and go from there). It helps get your pet home faster instead of sitting in a shelter. Contrary to popular belief we actually don’t want your dog at the shelter, we want them home with you! Collars and tags fall off, microchips don’t It’s a one-time thing that lasts. It proves ownership if there’s ever a dispute.
Annnnd just to clear this up, no, there is NOT a statewide Illinois law that requires every dog to be microchipped.
BUT…
Many shelters (including ours) require it when animals leave because we see firsthand what happens when pets don’t have one. We ARE required to have proof of an updated rabies vaccination before they leave the shelter. If you cannot provide UTD shots we have to go get that done before they can leave. They need to have their shots regardless if they’ve ever been to the shelter or not.
Microchipping gives your fuzzy pals a voice when they can’t tell us where they belong!
