Rep Lieu Introduces Bill Establishing Grant Program To Support Shelter Animal Microchipping

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) introduced the Keeping Pets and Families Together Act. The bill will establish a grant program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage the microchipping of dogs and cats in the care of shelters.

So many of us are lucky enough to have pets as members of our families. I love our rescue dog, Abbott," Rep. Lieu said. "He was microchipped so that we could be reunited with him in the awful event that he was stolen or were to run away. I want that sense of security for every pet family. This commonsense legislation will benefit not only companion animals and their families, but taxpayers as well. By funding microchipping services, we can help pets return to loving homes. I am proud to introduce this bill to save taxpayer money and reunite lost pets with their families, and I am committed to seeing it passed into law."

According to the American Humane Association, roughly one-third of all pets will become lost at some point in their lifetime, and many of those animals end up in shelters. However, a study by the American Veterinarian Medication Association found that almost three-fourths of all lost or stolen animals with microchips are located and many eventually reunited with their families.

Support for this legislation:

"This legislation would be a huge win for our companion animals, families, and taxpayers. We love our companion animals and if they go missing it can have profoundly detrimental effects on the family and, of course, traumatize the dog or cat, who is often euthanized when the owner cannot be found. Microchipping is a simple, effective and inexpensive solution for reuniting dogs and cats with their families, alleviating burdens on our shelters, and saving our beloved animals' lives."

-Judie Mancuso, Founder and President, Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL)

This legislation is endorsed by: Social Compassion in Legislation, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Humane Society of the United States, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Animal Legal Defense Fund

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