Evansville council adopts animal-control changes, emphasizes microchipping
March 09, 2026 | Evansville City, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
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The Evansville Common Council on March 9 unanimously adopted ordinance G2026-05, amending the city’s animal control code to emphasize microchipping as the primary method of identifying licensed dogs and cats and to formalize a medical/spay‑neuter fund.
Missy Mosby, director of Evansville Animal Care and Control, told the council the ordinance updates how the city records ownership and reunites animals with owners: “The microchip, basically, when you scan the animal, the microchip pops up. It has the person's name, their address, their phone number.” She said the agency has offered several free microchip clinics and will provide microchipping at upcoming outreach events, including an entry at the city’s homeless‑connect clinic.
Under the current practice Mosby described, a lifetime license is available to pet owners who can show proof of vaccination, spay/neuter status and microchipping; the director said that option is $10 for the life of the pet. Owners without spay/neuter and microchipping pay an annual fee that Mosby said currently ranges from about $20 to $30. Reclaim fees for animals held at the shelter include a stated $5 per day boarding charge and, if an animal lacks a rabies vaccination, the owner must purchase a voucher to obtain one to meet state law requirements.
Council members asked about enforcement and how the registration process will work; Mosby said owners still fill out a license form at Animal Care and Control so the information is entered into the department’s database and can be accessed by officers and officers’ mobile computers.
The ordinance also sets procedures for a city fund to cover certain medical or spay/neuter expenses and directs the animal-control office to expand public education and partnerships with veterinarians. The council adopted G2026-05 by roll call vote, 8–0.
Mosby thanked councilors and invited them to tour the shelter; she also announced the shelter had been awarded a $21,000 grant to support vaccinations, which the director said will allow the shelter to vaccinate more animals and reduce quarantine-related illness.
The ordinance takes effect following the usual municipal process; the council did not attach further amendments during the March 9 meeting.
Missy Mosby, director of Evansville Animal Care and Control, told the council the ordinance updates how the city records ownership and reunites animals with owners: “The microchip, basically, when you scan the animal, the microchip pops up. It has the person's name, their address, their phone number.” She said the agency has offered several free microchip clinics and will provide microchipping at upcoming outreach events, including an entry at the city’s homeless‑connect clinic.
Under the current practice Mosby described, a lifetime license is available to pet owners who can show proof of vaccination, spay/neuter status and microchipping; the director said that option is $10 for the life of the pet. Owners without spay/neuter and microchipping pay an annual fee that Mosby said currently ranges from about $20 to $30. Reclaim fees for animals held at the shelter include a stated $5 per day boarding charge and, if an animal lacks a rabies vaccination, the owner must purchase a voucher to obtain one to meet state law requirements.
Council members asked about enforcement and how the registration process will work; Mosby said owners still fill out a license form at Animal Care and Control so the information is entered into the department’s database and can be accessed by officers and officers’ mobile computers.
The ordinance also sets procedures for a city fund to cover certain medical or spay/neuter expenses and directs the animal-control office to expand public education and partnerships with veterinarians. The council adopted G2026-05 by roll call vote, 8–0.
Mosby thanked councilors and invited them to tour the shelter; she also announced the shelter had been awarded a $21,000 grant to support vaccinations, which the director said will allow the shelter to vaccinate more animals and reduce quarantine-related illness.
The ordinance takes effect following the usual municipal process; the council did not attach further amendments during the March 9 meeting.
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