HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/5/2003 - STAFF REPORTS (13) DATE: November 5, 2003
TO: City Council
FROM: Gary Jeandron, Chief of Police
APPROVAL OF USE OF MICROCHIPS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF ANIMALS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the use of microchips for the
purpose of animal identification. The microchips would be injected into the
animals just under their skin. This procedure is not harmful to the animals. With
the use of a "handheld" reader animal control personnel can immediately identify
the animal and obtain ownership and other information.
SUMMARY
Microchips have been developed that can be programmed with information
regarding the animal, its background, history, medical information and
ownership. These microchips are injected just under its shin and are harmless to
the animal. A "handheld" reader would be used to retrieve this information.
Whenever the microchip procedure is used an additional charge of$15.00 would
be added to owner's fees.
BACKGROUND
Microchip implanting is a permanent form of identification. It is a state law that
all animal shelters in California must check for microchips in all animals at times
of impoundment. Although there are times when ownership information is not
current, it does provide a means of identifying an owner.
Unlike tags, a microchip can only be removed surgically. It does, on occasion,
migrate but it is still readable and staff knows to move the reader all over the
animal's body, not just looking for it in the normal implant area.
The microchip implanting procedure will increase the numbers of animals that
can be identified quickly and returned to their owners. This would assist the
Animal Shelter in preventing overcrowding. Owners could be notified rather than
the animal waiting for owners to either come into the shelter or call.
A microchip implanted in dangerous or vicious animals would permanently
identify these animals even when the owners illegally moves the animal or tries
to change the name and claim it isn't the same animal. Veterinarians would be
extremely reluctant to remove a microchip because of the intent of the chip to be
permanent.
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The only animals that would be required to be microchipped would be adopted,
dangerous, and vicious animals. Animal owners who are purchasing dog
licenses and reclaiming their animals would have the option of microchipping.
FISCAL IMPACT
The "start up" costs would be $550.00 for the first one hundred microchips and
syringes (the chips are preloaded in the syringes) for implanting. These funds
would come from the current animal control budget.
The city's animal shelter currently has readers for the microchips.
The following would be added to the shelter fees for the mircochipping services:
Adopted, dangerous or vicious animals $15.00.
Reclaimed animals or owner's request when obtaining a city dog license $15.00.
There is a separate staff report requesting the above fees be added to the city's
Comprehensive Fee Schedule.
GARY Jr, P�RON
Chief odlice
Approved:
City Manager
Attachment:
1. Minute Order
REVIEWED BY DEPT.OF FINANCE
JY� z
MINUTE ORDER NO.
APPROVAL OF USE OF MICROCHIPS FOR THE
IDENTIFICATION OF ANIMALS
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this minute order, approving the use of microchips for the
identification of animals, was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California, in a meeting thereof held on the 5t" day of November, 2003.
City Clerk
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RESOLUTION NO,
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION 20362, TO ADD USE OF
MICROCHIPS FOR ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION.
WHEREAS on June 5, 2002, the City Council adopted Resolution 20362; and
WHEREAS Resolution 20362 is the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule; and
WHEREAS the City Council desires to amend the Comprehensive Fee Schedule in order to,
add the use of microchips for animal identification.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, that
Resolution 20362, establishing the Comprehensive Fee Schedule, is hereby amended, by the
following:
MICROCHIPPING FEE
Adopted animals 15.00 plus impound fee
Dangerous or vicious animals 15.00
Owner's request, reclaimed animals, when obtaining
City dog license 15.00
ADOPTED this day of , 2003.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By
City Clerk City Manager
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