Please take a few minutes to support Florida rescues, shelters, and other animal welfare groups, who diligently microchip the dogs and cats they adopt out in case the animals are abandoned, lost, or stolen. Microchipping is their way home or back to rescue! That’s one of the big things being a rescue. You have a safety net.

Rescues are on a tight shoe-string budget as it is. Passing the task of microchipping solely to veterinarians, as proposed by the Florida Society of Veterinary Medicine, is a greedy move for them to put dollars in their pockets, while taking funds from already stressed out rescues and shelters who will have to pay a vet to microchip instead of being able to do it ourselves as we have been doing. Inserting a microchip doesn’t require a DVM degree, and what this veterinary society is trying to do is outrageous.

Many people have asked over the years, “How can I help rescue?” Here is a BIG chance, we need your help NOW, and it will only take a few minutes of your time.

Here is the e-mail which explains the action to take now.

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Proposed Measure to Strip Animal Shelters & Animal Control Agencies of Their Ability to Microchip Animals

Sponsor(s): Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine

ASPCA Position: Oppose

Action Needed: Please email our letter asking the members of the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine to reject this proposed measure.

The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine is currently considering a measure that would strip animal shelters of their ability to microchip animals in their care.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, microchipping has been identified as one of the most effective methods for reuniting pets with their owners. Microchipping by animal shelters is standard practice across the United States, and it ‘s especially important in Florida–perhaps the state most vulnerable to devastating hurricanes. This vital service that shelters provide to Florida residents and their pets must be protected

Microchips are also a vital tool for animal control agencies, aiding in the reunification of owned animals who are picked up and thought to be strays. They are an important tracking mechanism for animal control officers who must impound animals, oftentimes repeatedly, whose owners irresponsibly let them run at large.

The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine needs to be reminded that the leading cause of death among pets is not disease, parasites or injury. Sadly, it’s the euthanasia of lost pets who cannot be identified.

What You Can Do:
The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine will be considering this measure at its March 18 meeting. Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center by clicking here.

From the Advocacy Center you can send a letter asking the members of the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine to express your opposition to their proposed measure to strip animal shelters of their ability to microchip animals in their care. Please remember that it’s important that you use the space provided to add your own words to the form letter. Decision makers are more likely to pay attention to emails containing individual comments.

Thank you for helping animals and supporting the ASPCA.