Lost and Found Dog Legislation
Lost and Found Dogs
Create uniform standards
Consistent “Return to Owner” Fees & Exemptions
Report to Central Database with picture
Track dog thefts Statewide
Standard time before dog can change ownership
Standardize chip numbering
No chip number encryption
Scanner Training
Require Shelters and Rescues to have Universal Scanners
Register chips at the time they are inserted
Require Vets to give patients “Chip/Tag/Emergency” brochure
Give Firework notices or use silent ones
Create uniform standards
Consistent “Return to Owner” Fees & Exemptions
Report to Central Database with picture
Track dog thefts Statewide
Standard time before dog can change ownership
Standardize chip numbering
No chip number encryption
Scanner Training
Require Shelters and Rescues to have Universal Scanners
Register chips at the time they are inserted
Require Vets to give patients “Chip/Tag/Emergency” brochure
Give Firework notices or use silent ones
According to the ASPCA, a yearly average of 649,000 lost pets never get back home.
Create Uniform Standards
Problem: Rules and hold times vary between cities and counties. A dog can walk across the street and go from being in a jurisdiction that keeps a dog for a reasonable length of time to a jurisdiction that puts the dog down within 48 hours if not claimed. In the case of large dogs like Huskies and German Shepherds, they can travel several miles in a day, which means it is hard for an owner to find them in time because they often cross several jurisdictions.
Intended Goal: Uniform shelter laws for 14 days to wait for an owner to claim. If there were a Statewide Lost & Found Database, it would make it faster to reunite owners and dogs and reduce the amount of time they would need to spend in a Shelter. This would reduce costs and be better for the dog and their family. If a Shelter is unable to hold that long, in our area there are registered fosters that help with the overflow of the Shelter. Shelters may be concerned about the expense of having to care and hold that long, but with a Statewide Lost & Found Registry, dogs could be rapidly found and returned, so this should reduce Shelter overload and expense. Chips would help this problem substantially. Less than 20% of animals have chips.
https://www.wnem.com/clip/11625929/family-upset-after-dog-put-down-at-animal-control#.VYopgGTK3yw.facebook
Intended Goal: Uniform shelter laws for 14 days to wait for an owner to claim. If there were a Statewide Lost & Found Database, it would make it faster to reunite owners and dogs and reduce the amount of time they would need to spend in a Shelter. This would reduce costs and be better for the dog and their family. If a Shelter is unable to hold that long, in our area there are registered fosters that help with the overflow of the Shelter. Shelters may be concerned about the expense of having to care and hold that long, but with a Statewide Lost & Found Registry, dogs could be rapidly found and returned, so this should reduce Shelter overload and expense. Chips would help this problem substantially. Less than 20% of animals have chips.
https://www.wnem.com/clip/11625929/family-upset-after-dog-put-down-at-animal-control#.VYopgGTK3yw.facebook
Consistent “Return to Owner” Fees & Exemptions
Problem: RTO Fees (Return to Owner) are often so high an average working family can’t get their dog out of Doggy Jail and it ends up being put down or adopted out to someone else. In the case of a registered service dog the family is often under financial stress already and there should be no fees. Fees need to be capped to $50 or less. That needs to include the cost of getting a license tag for the dog if they are not licensed (a tag often costs less than $3) and an ID Chip (often costs around $4). If the person cannot produce a rabies vaccination receipt, that needs to be capped to $10. If the family can show financial hardship, the fees need to be waived or given an extended time to pay. We have heard of too many families with children or seniors not able to get back a pet that provides love and comfort. Putting a dog down also costs a shelter and the emotional toll on a family can be high.
Intended Goal: Get families reunited with their pets quickly and affordably. Reduce predatory Shelters with high fees.
Intended Goal: Get families reunited with their pets quickly and affordably. Reduce predatory Shelters with high fees.
Hella Grams of Pet Assistance League says,
“I am not disputing shelters charging to release pets - maybe the amount ... but not the concept. But here is what really made me think about this topic today.
On 09/22/15 a pet was turned into a shelter, on 09/23/15 the pets devoted guardian went into the shelter, identified her pet and was told that in order to bring her pet home, she would have to pay $125.00 and have proof of rabies shot or prepay for a rabies shot. Like many families, the $125 is a lot of money. This pet parent did not have that money and was not in a position to have that much money for another week or more. By that time, she would have been assessed a charge of probably well over $300 dollars - since the charge on 09/24/15 was already over $150.00
First, most boarding kennels do not even charge $25.00/night ... so I find that charge excessive. Secondly, if PAL had not helped with the prepaid rabies shot and another individual had not offered to pay the shelter fee, this pet would probably never have made it home!”
“I am not disputing shelters charging to release pets - maybe the amount ... but not the concept. But here is what really made me think about this topic today.
On 09/22/15 a pet was turned into a shelter, on 09/23/15 the pets devoted guardian went into the shelter, identified her pet and was told that in order to bring her pet home, she would have to pay $125.00 and have proof of rabies shot or prepay for a rabies shot. Like many families, the $125 is a lot of money. This pet parent did not have that money and was not in a position to have that much money for another week or more. By that time, she would have been assessed a charge of probably well over $300 dollars - since the charge on 09/24/15 was already over $150.00
First, most boarding kennels do not even charge $25.00/night ... so I find that charge excessive. Secondly, if PAL had not helped with the prepaid rabies shot and another individual had not offered to pay the shelter fee, this pet would probably never have made it home!”
Report to Central Database with Picture
Problem: There is no reliable and consistent way for a person to report a dog they have found to get it quickly back to an owner. It used to be a person would put a free listing in the local newspaper. Readership has declined and people post on Craigslist, Garage Sale Sites, Twitter and Facebook Lost & Found Dog pages. Although many have been able to be reunited through these methods, it is somewhat hit or miss. In the Central Northern Indiana area there are easily 15 Lost and Found Dog Groups/Pages and multiple breed specific ones. A person who finds a dog has no idea which is the best place to post and the person who lost the dog has no idea which ones to look at either. Sometimes a person decides to keep a dog and then is not willing to return it to an owner with proof of ownership. Some jurisdictions say one week, some two weeks. There is no uniform standard for all communities.
Intended Goal: A person must report it to the State Database and nearest Shelter and cannot sell or transfer to another person for 30 days if they decide to provide safe haven for the dog rather than remanding to a Shelter or Rescue. Have resources in place to have the dog documented in the Statewide Database so the owner has a reliable way of locating their missing pet. It also needs to be properly scanned for an ID Chip. The database must include a reasonable picture--perhaps a picture taken by the Shelter at the time the dog is entered into the database.
Ownership dispute - https://www.theindychannel.com/news/call-6-investigators/police-couple-held-dog-despite-microchip-showing-other-owner
Intended Goal: A person must report it to the State Database and nearest Shelter and cannot sell or transfer to another person for 30 days if they decide to provide safe haven for the dog rather than remanding to a Shelter or Rescue. Have resources in place to have the dog documented in the Statewide Database so the owner has a reliable way of locating their missing pet. It also needs to be properly scanned for an ID Chip. The database must include a reasonable picture--perhaps a picture taken by the Shelter at the time the dog is entered into the database.
Ownership dispute - https://www.theindychannel.com/news/call-6-investigators/police-couple-held-dog-despite-microchip-showing-other-owner
Track Dog Thefts Statewide
Problem: Dog Thefts have been increasing and do not seem to be well monitored. Dogs can be stolen for personal ownership, resale or worse—used as bait in Pit Bull fights. Some dogs can resell for hundreds of dollars or end up in puppy mills.
Intended Goal: Standard Theft / Lost / Found reports entered into a Statewide Database. This could create heat maps to show theft activity and hopefully lead to catching the perpetrators. It would also warn the public and possibly lead to tips. There could be a “Submit Tips” button on the website page of these maps and listings.
Intended Goal: Standard Theft / Lost / Found reports entered into a Statewide Database. This could create heat maps to show theft activity and hopefully lead to catching the perpetrators. It would also warn the public and possibly lead to tips. There could be a “Submit Tips” button on the website page of these maps and listings.
Standard Time Before Dog Can Change Ownership
Problem: People aren’t given access to see all the dogs in a shelter. Sometimes dogs and cats are with affiliated foster care and don’t know their animal is not in the Shelter. Descriptions are often inaccurate because a dog or cat is a mixed breed or the people doing the intake mislabel a dog and its size. Many shelters do not post pictures of the dogs being held. multiple manufacturers. The result is chipped pets don’t go home. Many get euthanized if they are in a high kill shelter.
Intended Goal: Shelters must keep a dog at least two weeks and allow people to tour all the areas of the Shelter. Some dogs are missed by owners when they are in quarantine areas and other areas when there is overcrowding of a Shelter. Quarantine is usually 10 days. This gives people a needed four day window for people to see and get their dog back. They also need to put a good picture in a Statewide Database and post it at the time of intake.
Intended Goal: Shelters must keep a dog at least two weeks and allow people to tour all the areas of the Shelter. Some dogs are missed by owners when they are in quarantine areas and other areas when there is overcrowding of a Shelter. Quarantine is usually 10 days. This gives people a needed four day window for people to see and get their dog back. They also need to put a good picture in a Statewide Database and post it at the time of intake.
No Chip Number Encryption
Problem: There are now over one dozen ID chip companies and they have different numbering systems and technologies. Now some companies are issuing numbers that are reserved for other chip companies. When they contact the chip company that has that number, the company says the chip is unregistered or has the information of a different dog owner. It’s like more than one person having the same social security number. To further complicate the issue, now some chip companies are encrypting the number trying to force everyone to buy their proprietary scanner. Shelters, rescues, Vets and government entities scanning these dogs do not have the funds to keep buying new scanners from multiple manufacturers. The result is chipped pets don’t go home. Many get euthanized if they are in a high kill shelter.
Intended Goal: Make it illegal for ID chip companies to issue numbers not assigned to them. Make it illegal to encrypt chip numbers. Encrypting means people have to buy multiple scanners.
Intended Goal: Make it illegal for ID chip companies to issue numbers not assigned to them. Make it illegal to encrypt chip numbers. Encrypting means people have to buy multiple scanners.
Scanner Training
Problem: Even when there is a scanner, people do not know the proper procedures for scanning. It needs to be done slowly over the entire body. ID Chips can and do travel in a pets body. Although most are inserted on the top of the back, they can travel down a leg or elsewhere in the body.
Intended Goal: Have training education and certification on how to insert chips and how to scan for them. This would include shelters, rescues, Vets and others using scanners.
This dog may not have been properly scanned and ended up being adopted out. Texas dog ends up in Indiana http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Texas-womans-dog-missing-since-May-turns-up-in-Indiana-288978081.htm
Intended Goal: Have training education and certification on how to insert chips and how to scan for them. This would include shelters, rescues, Vets and others using scanners.
This dog may not have been properly scanned and ended up being adopted out. Texas dog ends up in Indiana http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Texas-womans-dog-missing-since-May-turns-up-in-Indiana-288978081.htm
Require Shelters and Rescues to have Universal Scanners
Problem: Vets typically insert Avid and Home Again brand ID Chips and their scanners only pick up those brands. When a person finds a dog they sometimes take the dog to their Vet who does not have a Universal Scanner. The dog may have a different brand of chip put in by a shelter or rescue. The person is now told the stray they are trying to help has no chip. They may choose to keep the dog or turn it into a Shelter or rescue telling them the dog has no ID Chip when it really does. The Vets have the scanner to assure the ID Chip they have inserted is working, not to ID stray animals. Even Vets aren’t aware of the need for a Universal Scanner and many won’t get one because of the added expense.
Intended Goal: Education about ID Chips and availability of Universal Scanning for lost pets with Vets, Rescues, DNR, Sheriffs, Police and Shelters.
Intended Goal: Education about ID Chips and availability of Universal Scanning for lost pets with Vets, Rescues, DNR, Sheriffs, Police and Shelters.
Register Chips at the Time They are Inserted
Problem: Chips end up being unregistered by the owners who never get around to it or they didn’t realize the chip company expects $20 per month to keep it on the registration list.
Intended Goal: Require registering of chips at the time of insertion by the person inserting it. Require insertion and registration at time of spay/neuter if the pet is old enough. ID Chips must be registered before a pet can leave a Shelter, Rescue or Vets office with the chip company and into a Statewide database.
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Problem: ID Chips often go unregistered or the owner is no longer at the address given.
Intended Goal: Have a State Call Center number for unregistered ID chips. Chip companies will often not give out information about the owner of the pet but could be required to give it to a State Agency. Even if the exact owner is not available, it would give the Vet or organization that bought and inserted that series of ID Chips and would be a starting place to look for the owners. They may have some record of who the owner was at the time. If it was a rescue that put the ID Chip in, they will often take back the pet to keep it out of a Shelter. A Shelter will often have adoption records and can sort back to find the owner in the area.
t at Vets, Shelters and Rescues, as well as, a short video on the State website since more people will watch a 2 minute video over reading.
Intended Goal: Require registering of chips at the time of insertion by the person inserting it. Require insertion and registration at time of spay/neuter if the pet is old enough. ID Chips must be registered before a pet can leave a Shelter, Rescue or Vets office with the chip company and into a Statewide database.
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Problem: ID Chips often go unregistered or the owner is no longer at the address given.
Intended Goal: Have a State Call Center number for unregistered ID chips. Chip companies will often not give out information about the owner of the pet but could be required to give it to a State Agency. Even if the exact owner is not available, it would give the Vet or organization that bought and inserted that series of ID Chips and would be a starting place to look for the owners. They may have some record of who the owner was at the time. If it was a rescue that put the ID Chip in, they will often take back the pet to keep it out of a Shelter. A Shelter will often have adoption records and can sort back to find the owner in the area.
t at Vets, Shelters and Rescues, as well as, a short video on the State website since more people will watch a 2 minute video over reading.
Require Vets to Give Patients “Chip/Tag/Emergency” Brochure
Problem: Many dogs end up not reunited because people are not ID Chipping their pets and putting a 10 digit phone number tag on the collar. These two simple prevention steps can reduce shelter intake significantly. Vet Rabies tags do not always get entered in a Vet’s computer with the owners information and Vets are often closed when a dog goes missing or gets found on evenings and weekends. The 10 digit phone number tag is critical because many people will call a phone number if one is on the pet. Also when people move they often keep the same phone number even though their address has changed. When people move they often do not remember to update chip information.
Intended Goal: Institute ID Chip and Phone Number Tag prevention programs and education. Have a State pamphlet to give out at Vets, Shelters and Rescues, as well as, a short video on the State website since more people will watch a 2 minute video over reading.
Intended Goal: Institute ID Chip and Phone Number Tag prevention programs and education. Have a State pamphlet to give out at Vets, Shelters and Rescues, as well as, a short video on the State website since more people will watch a 2 minute video over reading.
Give Firework Notices or Use Silent Ones
Problem: The most overwhelming time for Shelters in the Fourth of July week. Startled dogs leap over fences and bolt out of the hands of owners. Their hearing is far greater and more sensitive than ours and they do not understand the noise is harmless. Although owners do try to be more careful during this week, there are times fireworks are used with no notice to the public like for ball games, concerts, weddings, new years eve, etc.
Intended Goal: Require posting of Public Firework Notices a week in advance of when and the times. Post on City and County websites, Veteran organizations and TV station websites. Added benefit, it is also hard for Veterans with PTSD and this would help them plan as well.
In Italy they have silent fireworks which benefits dogs, wild animals and Veterans with PTSD.
https://travel.excite.co.uk/town-in-italy-starts-using-silent-fireworks-as-a-way-of-respecting-their-animals-N52632.html
Intended Goal: Require posting of Public Firework Notices a week in advance of when and the times. Post on City and County websites, Veteran organizations and TV station websites. Added benefit, it is also hard for Veterans with PTSD and this would help them plan as well.
In Italy they have silent fireworks which benefits dogs, wild animals and Veterans with PTSD.
https://travel.excite.co.uk/town-in-italy-starts-using-silent-fireworks-as-a-way-of-respecting-their-animals-N52632.html
Scan Deceased Animals to Give Families Closure
Problem: Traffic cleanup crews find dead companion animals on the road. Often the animal has gotten loose and unfortunately gets hit and killed by a car. These cleanup crews often do not have Universal Scanners to see if the dog or cat has an identifying chip. People consider their animals family members and would like to be notified. They may even want to give the animal a proper burial or cremation.
Intended Goal: Scanning for chips on deceased animals found on the road and would to give families closure. There are now low cost scanners these road crews could use on the deceased animal. It would be good to have a procedure where a picture is taken and the chip information is uploaded to a State database. Road crews would need to be trained on how to carefully scan an animal. Sometimes a chip will migrate down a leg or to other parts of the body. They would need to learn proper scanning methods which are slow and thorough. *Universal Scanner – There are over 13 different brands of animal identification chips and some wands only scan for a couple brands. A road crew would need to be required to have a Universal Scanner to find all the brands of chips used.
Intended Goal: Scanning for chips on deceased animals found on the road and would to give families closure. There are now low cost scanners these road crews could use on the deceased animal. It would be good to have a procedure where a picture is taken and the chip information is uploaded to a State database. Road crews would need to be trained on how to carefully scan an animal. Sometimes a chip will migrate down a leg or to other parts of the body. They would need to learn proper scanning methods which are slow and thorough. *Universal Scanner – There are over 13 different brands of animal identification chips and some wands only scan for a couple brands. A road crew would need to be required to have a Universal Scanner to find all the brands of chips used.