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Highlands Today

Some push for microchip law

Contributed photo by Kathy Moore-Lengell

All animals adopted from the Hillsborough County Animal Control Services are implanted with a microchip which contains identification information. Here pet surgery tech, Fred Martin, left, and Dr. Nil Wilkins, right, test to see if a newly imbedded microchip works.

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By GARY PINNELL

Highlands Today

Published: November 9, 2009

SEBRING - If Dr. Elton Gissendanner had his way, every dog and cat in the United States would be microchipped.

Why?

"I'll tell you why," said Gissendanner, a Lake Placid veterinarian who has dedicated his practice to spaying and neutering pets in southcentral Florida. "Who wants to dump their dog out on the street if it has their name on it?"

A microchip the size of a grain of rice is shot under the loose skin at the dog or cat's neck and shoulder blade.

If Fido or Fluffy is lost - or abandoned - a vet or the animal shelter can scan the number on the chip, and the owner is identified.

On Tuesday, Gissendanner, a former state representative, asked the Highlands County commissioners to consider putting mandatory microchipping of pets on a list of topics the state legislature should consider.

"I don't like that word, mandatory," Gissendanner said in Thursday phone call. "Incentivize. That's a word, isn't it? I want to incentivize people to take care of their pets."

Gissendanner and local Humane Society President Barbara Clark hope both the county and the state pass laws requiring microchipping, spaying and neutering.

Animal Control Director Darryl Scott listened to the TV broadcast of the commission meeting and found himself agreeing with every word. But he doesn't think this is the right time for mandatory microchipping.

"I believe that something along those lines is destined to be here in the future, but I don't think we're ready to make that leap," Scott said. His pets are microchipped, and he recommends the simple, almost painless procedure to every pet owner he talks to.

One problem, said Scott, is that owners often don't keep the microchip name, address and phone number current with chip registries like AVID, DigiKey and HomeAgain.

"Three out of five are not up to date," Scott said.

"County tags are mandatory," Scott said. "But I eventually see tags going by the wayside." Microchips, he said, will be the way future pet owners ID their dogs.

Chips would also solve pet disputes, Clark said. "The only way to prove ownership of an animal is a microchip. "We've had this at the humane society: 'It's my dog.' 'No, it's my dog.'"

Scott has another problem with Clark and Gissendanner's idea. It already costs $70 to $85 to adopt, tag, spay or neuter and get a rabies shot for an unwanted dog or cat. Another $15 ups the price tag to $100. Scott thinks more animals could be adopted if the price were lower.

"I think we need to ease into it a little slower," Scott said. Even so, he advocates that future adoptees be microchipped.

Clark and Gissendanner disagree. The animal control shelter's overhead could be reduced if fewer dogs and cats turned up there.

Besides, Gissendanner pointed out, the price of microchipping has fallen, and will get lower still now that competitors are offering the same service.

"Good, solid, pet owners have their pets microchipped," Clark said. Fifteen dollars is not a big price, compared with the cost of an expensive animal, she pointed out.

An Internet search shows several cities and counties have passed, or are considering a microchipping law.

"Right now, we have zero ordinances on the book. I've looked. There aren't any," Clark said. "The only thing an animal control officer can cite is for the leash law. All they really are is pet collectors. They can't enforce anything. Right now, if they see a dog starving and dying of thirst, they can't even go on the property unless they call the sheriff's office."

"Take a great leap into the future and start protecting the animals of this county," Clark beseeched the county commissioners.

Highlands Today reporter Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863-386-582

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