The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department is offering free microchips for dogs and cats as part of its ‘It’s Hip to Microchip’ campaign, which runs from June 1 through July 3 at the Westside and Eastside shelters. No appointment is needed, and services are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Adults at least 18 years old with valid identification can have their pets microchipped, with the chip registered to the ID holder. The department emphasizes that keeping contact information up to date is essential for successful reunification if a pet becomes lost or recovered.
“Our pets are family, and losing them is something no one wants to experience,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Microchipping is simple, free, and can make all the difference in bringing them home quickly and safely.”
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and contain a unique serial number linked to an owner’s contact details in a database. This system only works if information remains current. “Microchipping is one of the most effective ways to ensure lost pets are reunited with their families,” said Animal Welfare Department Director Carolyn Ortega. “Pairing a microchip with an ID tag gives your pet the best chance of making it home safely.”
The department’s Reunite microchipping scanner program includes 36 locations throughout Albuquerque—22 fire stations, seven police substations, and five local businesses—making it easier for those who find lost pets to locate owners.
The City of Albuquerque operates under a council structure where members elect leadership annually and has served as both a cultural landmark through venues like the KiMo Theatre—a site blending Pueblo Deco architecture since 1927—and as an administrative center across nine districts shaped by historic developments such as the railroad era, according to the official website.
