Each year 100s of beloved house pets are killed on California's highways and freeways.  Many of these cats and dogs have lost their collars leaving visible identification impossible. Yet, a majority can be identified through microchip scanning.   Scanners have been successful in reuniting 1000's of lost pets to their owners.  When a deceased pet is microchip identified, owners who have  been in constant agony, and wonder, are finally given the closure they need to put their mind and heart at ease and their family member at rest.

The problem, CalTrans does not have Universal microchip scanners for use on deceased cats and dogs found on state highways and freeways. If the animal does not have visible identification, CalTrans simply buries the pet along side the highway.  Owners will never know the fate of their pet and will continue days and nights grieving over what happen to my dog, my puppy, my cat, my kitten.

CalTrans can change this.  Universal scanners cost less than $500. Some companies may donate or offer lower cost for large organizations.  CalTrans does not need a scanner in every vehicle.  The Cal Trans employee who is called to retrieve deceased pets needs to have a Universal scanner available.  When they scan a deceased cat or dog, the scanner will show a chip number. The chip number identifies which company has the pet owners information.  CalTrans may ask for that information or they may ask the database company to notify the owner.  Deceased pets can then be taken to a designated location for owner retrieval.

CalTrans is a state wide organization who has the power to change, purchase, and create protocol for the use of Universal scanners for identification of deceased cats and dogs on California highways and freeways.  This is a positive state wide community action that CalTrans can be proud of committing to.  Families and individuals with missing pets will be thankful for the closure they need.  Pet owners and CalTrans benefit from CalTrans dedication and use of Universal scanners.