Richmond mulls proposal of pet microchips

AUGUSTA - Richmond County is exploring a plan to require cat and dog owners to have a microchip implanted in their pets and licensed, hoping to generate revenue for the county&#39;s animal shelter. <br> <br> The proposal, endorsed this week by the county&#39;s board of health, also would reduce the number of strays sent to the animal shelter and never recovered, officials said. <br> <br> Most owners would pay a seven dollars fee per animal, with a maximum of $35 per family. Those who could prove a financial hardship would pay two dollars per animal, up to ten dollars. <br> <br> Any pet with a microchip that was captured by animal control also would receive a one-time free exit from the shelter. <br> <br> The county has an estimated 104,000 dogs and cats. If only a third of them were registered, the licensing system would generate more than $109,000 a year. In addition, shelter costs would drop an estimated $77,000 annually, with the number of animals also lowered. <br> <br> The extra revenue would pay for education campaigns about responsible pet ownership, more animal control trucks and employees and additional low-cost sterilization clinics to spay and neuter pets. <br> <br> Cobb County has added microchips to dogs and cats adopted from its shelter since 1998. The chip is placed under the animal&#39;s skin, usually in the scruff of the neck, during a minor surgical procedure. <br> <br> A lost pet can then be scanned to produce an identification number, which yields the owner&#39;s name and contact information.

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