On June 13, 2024, our beloved Brittany vanished from our yard. Despite being microchipped, our hopes of being reunited with her dwindled with each passing day as our efforts have proved fruitless. We discovered that veterinarians only scan for microchips when asked - a harsh reality for pet owners who place implicit trust in these chips.

It is because of this painful experience that we propose a change in the current practices. We insist that all cats and dogs over eight weeks of age be microchipped, and that all veterinarians scan new patients for a microchip as standard protocol.

Microchips can have a high recovery rate for lost pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association found that dogs with microchips have a 52.2% chance of being reunited with their families as opposed to the mere 21.9% for those without (AVMA, 2009). For cats, the difference is even more profound: 38.5% versus a heartbreaking 1.8%.

Our proposal will ensure that no pet owner will suffer the agony of losing their pet without the hope of reunion. No pet should have a chip go unnoticed simply because the current rules allow scanning to be bypassed.

Join us in making a difference for our four-legged companions. We must advocate for their safety, for they cannot do it themselves. Sign this petition and demand a change in the laws regarding microchipping and scanning of pets.