Microchipping Pets Bill Awaits Approval

Lawmakers – and California pet owners – have been waiting to see if Gov. Jerry Brown approves a bill that would require cats and dogs adopted from shelters, or later found by their families if lost, to undergo mandatory "microchipping."

A small microchip can be injected beneath an animal's skin (like a shot). If the pet is ever found by an animal shelter, that chip can be scanned and link to the owner's contact information.

The state Assembly on Thursday passed the plan by state Sen. Ted Lieu, who represents Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey and Del Rey, in Senate District 28. The pending law is considered to be the first of its type in the nation.

State Sen. Curren Price, who represents Culver City in District 26, was unavailable for comment.

"Every year, shelters in California impound more than one million dogs and cats—and then euthanize more than half of these animals because they could not be reunited with their owners," Lieu said in a statement following the Assembly vote. "This process costs taxpayers up to $300 million a year, according to the State Controller. Nationwide, this costs local taxpayer-funded shelters and humane societies $1 billion. This has to stop."

In comparison, microchipping can cost from $5 to $50, but this fee is often donated or waived, the statement said.

Supporters of this measure, Senate Bill 720, have argued that microchipping would help families find their runaway pets more easily. Opponents, however, have argued that microchips can cause serious medical problems in some animals and should be decided on a more local level instead of in state law.

If signed into law, SB 702 would take effect Jan. 1, 2012.

Neither Brown nor his pet Corgi, Sutter Brown, have taken a position on this bill, according to Lieu’s office, but both have been sent letters asking for support.

What do you think of the proposed measure? Should adopted or runaway pets be required to have implanted microchips? Or do you think this should be discussed on a more local level? Tell us in the comments.